The effect of swimming with dolphins on human well-being and anxiety

The present investigation aimed to explore the psychological effects for hu mans of swimming with dolphins as opposed to swimming in the ocean without dolphins. It was hypothesized that people swimming with dolphins would expe rience significantly greater levels of wellbeing and reduced levels of anxi ety than those who swam without dolphins. Participants were sampled from Pe rth's UnderWater World marine park and at the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Cen tre, Australia. Participants completed well-being and anxiety measures befo re and after their swim, Well-being was greater in participants who swam wi th dolphins than in those who did not, both before and after their swim. Ho wever, well-being increased to the same extent in both groups. In contrast, anxiety decreased for participants swimming with dolphins but not in those who swam without dolphins. The findings suggest that anticipation of a new and exciting experience, and swimming, itself increase well-being. In addi tion, swimming specifically with dolphins may lower anxiety. Whether these effects are responsible for the therapeutic benefits associated with human- dolphin interactions requires further investigation. (C) 2001 International Society for Anthrozoology.