Integrative Model of Human-Animal Interactions: A One Health–One Welfare Systemic Approach to Studying HAI

The Integrative Model of Human-Animal Interactions (IMHAI) described herewith provides a conceptual framework for the study of interspecies interactions and aims to model the primary emotional processes involved in human-animal interactions. This model was developed from theoretical inputs from three fundamental disciplines for understanding interspecies interactions: neuroscience, psychology and ethology, with the objective of providing a transdisciplinary approach on which field professionals and researchers can build and collaborate. Seminal works in affective neuroscience offer a common basis between humans and animals and, as such, can be applied to the study of interspecies interactions from a One Health-One Welfare perspective. On the one hand, Jaak Panksepp's research revealed that primary/basic emotions originate in the deep subcortical regions of the brain and are shared by all mammals, including humans. On the other hand, several works in the field of neuroscience show that the basic physiological state is largely determined by the perception of safety. Thus, emotional expression reflects the state of an individual's permanent adaptation to ever-changing environmental demands. Based on this evidence and over 5 years of action research using grounded theory, alternating between research and practice, the IMHAI proposes a systemic approach to the study of primary-process emotional affects during interspecies social interactions, through the processes of emotional transfer, embodied communication and interactive emotional regulation. IMHAI aims to generate new hypotheses and predictions on affective behavior and interspecies communication. Application of such a model should promote risk prevention and the establishment of positive links between humans and animals thereby contributing to their respective wellbeing

Étude des processus cognitifs et émotionnels au cours d’une intervention de thérapie assistée par le cheval, auprès de patients souffrants de troubles lies à l’usage de substance

This thesis project aims to study the relevance of using equine mediation in therapy, with people with addictive disorders. The first step is to study the influence of patients' attachment style on their level of autonomy; based on theoretical models such as attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969-82, Hazan, 1987) and autonomous motivation theory (Decy and Ryan, 2000). Secondly, the objective will be to explore, describe and evaluate the processes at work during the therapeutic intervention with the horse. This research is part of the understanding and evaluation of complex interventions, a major research focus of the APEMAC laboratory. The main question of this thesis project is to question the place of attachment theory in health psychology interventions, particularly in programs for the prevention of relapse and relapse. What is the relationship between motivation and attachment? How can attachment disorders interfere with the healing process and abstinence in these patients? Can the use of the horse in therapy help to increase people's sense of internal security and foster the development of their self-regulating skills and autonomous motivation? In short, can we increase the autonomy of patients by offering them an intervention that targets attachment disorders? The data collection will be carried out at the Center of Care of Continuation and Rehabilitation in Addictology 'la Fontenelle'. Throughout this research, we plan to carry out various quantitative evaluations using psychometric tools. We will also use qualitative methods by conducting clinical interviews.Ce projet de thèse vise à étudier la pertinence d’utiliser la médiation équine en thérapie, auprès de personnes ayant des troubles addictifs. Dans un premier temps, il s’agira d’étudier l’influence du style d’attachement des patients sur leur niveau d’autonomie ; en s’appuyant sur des modèles théoriques tels que la théorie de l’attachement (Bowlby, 1969-82 ; Hazan, 1987) et la théorie de la motivation autonome (Decy et Ryan, 2000). Dans un deuxième temps, l’objectif sera d’explorer, de décrire et d’évaluer les processus à l’œuvre durant l’intervention à visée thérapeutique avec le cheval. Cette recherche s’inscrit dans le cadre de la compréhension et de l’évaluation des interventions complexes, axe fort de recherche du laboratoire APEMAC. Le questionnement principal de ce projet de thèse est d'interroger la place de la théorie de l’attachement dans les interventions en psychologie de la santé, notamment dans les programmes de prévention de la reconsommation et de la rechute. Quels liens la motivation et l’attachement entretiennent-ils ? En quoi les troubles de l’attachement peuvent-ils entraver le processus de guérison et la tenue de l’abstinence chez ces patients ? L’utilisation du cheval en thérapie peut-elle permettre d’augmenter le sentiment de sécurité interne des personnes et favoriser le développement de leurs compétences d’auto-régulation et de la motivation autonome ? En somme, peut-on augmenter l’autonomie des patients en leur proposant une intervention qui cible les troubles de l’attachement ? Le recueil des données sera réalisé au Centre de Soins de Suite et de Réadaptation en Addictologie « la Fontenelle ». Tout au long de cette recherche, nous prévoyons d’effectuer différentes évaluations quantitatives à l’aide d’outils psychométriques. Nous utiliserons également des méthodes qualitatives en réalisant des entretiens cliniques