
medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown
Published: Nov. 21, 2024
Research exploring the connection between pet ownership and mental health has expanded substantially in recent years, yet scientific evidence remains inconclusive. Existing studies have oversimplified this relationship by focusing primarily on itself, without accounting for crucial factors such as species of pet, or important dynamics owner-pet attachment orientations. This study sought to investigate whether owner could be better understood through lens owner-perceived compatibility, perceived welfare, behavioral issues. These aspects, often overlooked previous research, are believed play roles shaping relationships wellbeing. surveyed emerging adults (ages 18-26) from UK (N=600) with anxiety and/or low mood who owned dogs cats. A large portion sample met clinical criteria Generalized Anxiety Disorder Major Depressive Disorder. Our findings revealed that dog owners exhibited more secure attachments than cat owners. Attachment notably influenced whereby anxious was linked poorer among owners, while avoidant associated both Insecure related quality life, increased reports problems, regardless species. Additionally, welfare behavioural problems were owners; these not replicated Notably, a dog’s state (such appearing depressed), well fear dogs, mediated health. Owner-dog particularly affection domain, anxiety, positively mediating health, negatively suggest simplistic view fails capture complexity shape underscores need consider fully understand how human-pet can impact wellbeing people their pets.
Language: Английский