Investigating the Efficacy of Fish-Assisted Activity on College Students’ Mental Health

Bibliographic Data

ID22006457
AuthorsSweetzle Jay Marie Salvador (0009-0009-8585-9028, Central Luzon State University, corresponding author), Samantha Nicole Jacalan (Central Luzon State University), Jerielou Sazon (Central Luzon State University), Prisca Villarosa (Central Luzon State University), Wawie Ruiz (Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines), Wawie DG Ruiz (Central Luzon State University), Nixon Agaser (Central Luzon State University), Evelyn Acoba (Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines), Evelyn F Acoba (Central Luzon State University)
Year2026
Volume16
Issue1
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/21582440251389680
OpenAlexW7124711447
LanguageEN
References cited58

Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) are well-known for their positive effects, but the potential of Fish Assisted Activities (FAA) remains largely unexplored. This study investigated the effectiveness of FAA in alleviating anxiety, inducing mindfulness, and enhancing positive affect among college students with moderate to severe anxiety. A total of 104 participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: visual, tactile, or a combination of both. After the intervention, participants completed assessments using PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), STAI-Y (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), and SMS (State Mindfulness Scale). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was employed to examine the effects of the different treatment conditions on students' mental health. Result shows all groups exhibited reduced state anxiety, low negative emotions, and high positive emotions. The visual group demonstrated the most favorable outcomes in terms of state anxiety and negative affect. While no significant differences were found in state mindfulness and positive affect across groups. Heat emerged as a potential distraction during tactile activity, and the absence of a control group further limits the ability to isolate the effects of FAA from other potential contributing factors. Nevertheless, FAA could serve as a valuable supplement to conventional interventions and programs

Anxiety · Distraction · Mental health · Mindfulness · Multivariate analysis · Multivariate analysis of variance · Psychological intervention · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Outdoor and Experiential Education · Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications

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