Validation of the Human-Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS) in Czech Language.

Kristýna Machová,Tereza Nekovářová,Ivona Svobodová,Veronika Juríčková

doi:10.3390/ijerph17207485

Abstract

Human–Animal interaction (HAI) refers to any contact between humans and animals. Despite the lack of standardized measures of evaluation, one possible tool is the Human Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS). This study aimed to evaluate it in Czech language and to verify its use in clinical settings. One group of participants included 85 non-clinical volunteers; the second included 22 clinical participants, who were hospitalized in a long-term inpatient department All participants filled out the HAIS, the Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CABS) and the Companion Animal Semantic Differential (CASD). The Czech HAIS achieved similarly good psychometric properties as the original scale. The Cronbach’s alpha showed strong internal consistency (α = 0.920) in the sample of volunteers, but low internal consistency (α = 0.656) in the group of clinical participants. In non-clinical volunteers, all scales and subscales correlated mutually at the p < 0.01 level. In the group of clinical participants, the CABS did not show significant correlations with other scales and subscales, nor was there a correlation of total HAIS score with the perceived rapport with animals. The findings of this study suggest that the Czech HAIS may be an effective tool for evaluating HAI with non-clinical contingents, however careful modification is suggested before clinical use. One reason for this is the difficulty in conducting some activities assessed by the scale in a clinical practice or hospital setting.

Highlights

The term human–animal interaction (HAI) denotes any occasional or regular contact with an animal or pet ownership
The aim of this study was to validate the psychometric properties of the Czech translation of The Human–Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS)
For statistical certainty, more psychometric research is needed in this area. It seems that HAIS in Czech language is an effective tool for assessing human–animal interactions

Summary

Introduction

The term human–animal interaction (HAI) denotes any occasional or regular contact with an animal or pet ownership. One form of HAI could be an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) as a part of the therapeutic process in hospitals [1]. AAT is a structured, goal-oriented therapy, which intentionally involves the involvement of animals in health, education and social programs to improve the effects of therapy, overall physical or mental health [3], the quality of clients’ life [4] or health-related problems [5]. AAT is not yet a conventional adjunctive therapy, its positive benefits are already seen in several inpatients, therapeutic, educational or socially oriented settings [6]. The measure can assess the human behavior toward animals to predict pet adoption or success of canine-assisted therapy. HAIS can predict animals’ behavior toward humans and can be used to evaluate the suitability and preparedness for their participation in therapy.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion