Pet ownership and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 12(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2022

The question of pet ownership contributing to human well-being has received mixed empirical evidence. This contrasts with the lay intuition that contributes positively wellness. In a large representative sample, we investigate differences may exist between vs. non-pet owners in terms their during COVID-19 pandemic, and examine among different sociodemographic strata, for whom can be more less beneficial. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted Canadian adults (1220 owners, 1204 owners). Pet reported lower than on majority indicators; this general effect held when accounting species (dogs, cats, other species) number pets owned. Compared pets, dog higher well-being. When examining within socioeconomic being owner associated among: women; people who have 2 + children living at home; are unemployed. Our results offer counterpoint popular beliefs emphasising benefits wellness pandemic confirm importance factors further understand experience ownership.

Язык: Английский

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Access to veterinary care: evaluating working definitions, barriers, and implications for animal welfare

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11

Опубликована: Янв. 18, 2024

Humans have a moral obligation to meet the physical and mental needs of animals in their care. This requires access resources such as veterinary care, which is integral achieving animal welfare. However, "access" care not always homogenous across communities currently lacks consistent definition. The objectives this scoping review were (1) understand how has been defined literature, (2) map broad list potential barriers that may influence (3) identify impacts welfare companion livestock animals. literature search yielded total 1,044 publications, 77 relevant our inclusion criteria, published between 2002 2022. Studies most frequently conducted United States (n = 17) Canada 11). Publications defining 10) or discussing its on 13) minimal. accessing thoroughly discussed 69) categorized into ten themes according common challenges keywords, with financial limitations 57), geographic location 35), limited personnel/equipment 32) being reported. results informed proposed definition Additionally, findings identified need further investigate several understudied relating (i.e., veterinarian-client relationship, client identity) better they potentially affect outcomes.

Язык: Английский

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Rethinking Urban Cat Management—Limitations and Unintended Consequences of Traditional Cat Management

Animals, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(7), С. 1005 - 1005

Опубликована: Март 31, 2025

Traditional methods for managing free-roaming cats in Australia primarily depend on legislation and enforcement to achieve compliance. State laws local regulations mandate confinement, sterilization, registration, identification limit the number of kept, with penalties breaches. However, these strategies fail address underlying issues like financial constraints low-income areas prevalence semi-owned cats. Containment mandates often result increased complaints, shelter intake, euthanasia, without effectively reducing cat-related problems. Research shows that approaches are expensive, difficult enforce, place a disproportionate burden disadvantaged communities. Moreover, they negatively affect mental health staff animal management officers, who frequently exposed euthanasia ongoing challenges. An alternative "One Welfare" framework, which recognizes interconnectedness animal, human, environmental welfare, has proven more effective. Programs provide support resources, particularly cat sterilization microchipping, while fostering human-animal bond improve outcomes both caregivers. Shifting from punitive measures collaborative, community-driven is crucial way benefits animals, people, broader community, protecting wildlife.

Язык: Английский

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Oxytocin and love: Myths, metaphors and mysteries

Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 9, С. 100107 - 100107

Опубликована: Дек. 27, 2021

Oxytocin is a peptide molecule with multitude of physiological and behavioral functions. Based on its association reproduction - including social bonding, sexual behavior, birth maternal behavior oxytocin also has been called "the love hormone." This essay specifically examines parallels between love. However, many myths gaps in knowledge remain concerning both. A few these are described here we hypothesize that the potential benefits both may be better understood light interactions more ancient systems, vasopressin immune system. anti-inflammatory associated recently evolved, solutions to variety challenges necessary for mammalian survival reproduction. The shared functions have profound implications health longevity, prevention treatment excess inflammation related disorders, especially those occurring early life during periods chronic threat or disease.

Язык: Английский

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Dogs and the Good Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association Between the Dog–Owner Relationship and Owner Mental Wellbeing

Frontiers in Psychology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 13

Опубликована: Июль 18, 2022

Dog ownership is believed to benefit owner wellbeing but, contrary popular belief, there limited evidence suggest that simply owning a dog associated with improved mental health. This mixed-methods study investigates whether owners stronger relationships their dogs experience better Participants (n = 1,693, adult United Kingdom owners) completed an online survey. Owners' health was measured using the validated PROMIS questions regarding depression, anxiety, emotional support, and companionship. The dog-owner relationship MDORS scale, which has three subscales: interaction, closeness, perceived costs. Univariable multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, positive negative impacts of on coded from open thematic analysis. A greater feelings support companionship but poorer in terms anxiety or depression. However, costs (burden) subscale consistently outcomes. Direction causality cannot be inferred as people poor may acquire help relieve symptoms, qualitative analysis supported. Key themes included happiness through providing purpose, self-acceptance, pleasure distraction, well lessening pain suffering reducing risk behaviors. strong include anticipatory grief over loss dog, concerns burden responsibility ability meet dog's needs. Perceived adequately needs promoted personal growth others, whereas inability led guilt, anger/frustration, reduced autonomy sense environmental mastery. contributes both hedonic eudaimonic multiple ways, including supporting periods purpose. characteristics can create challenges, caring problematic

Язык: Английский

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A Scoping Review of Forced Separation Between People and Their Companion Animals

Anthrozoös, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 37(2), С. 245 - 267

Опубликована: Янв. 28, 2024

People often form strong emotional attachments with their companion animals. When this relationship is threatened by forced separation, people may take risks to safety and wellbeing protect stay animal. This scoping review maps concepts, evidence, impacts of separation between animals in the categories domestic violence, homelessness, natural disasters. Five relevant databases were searched: Medline Ovid, Psycinfo, Scopus, CINAHL, EMCARE Ovid. Forty-two articles on human–animal bond situations included analysis, which revealed devastating results for animals, death loss prominent across all three separation. Significant psychological distress an increased risk found categories. Risks took avoid failing evacuate during disasters, delaying fleeing abusive relationship, prolonged homelessness while waiting pet-friendly accommodation. Responsibility (who responsible animal) cultural belief human as superior that emerged major themes. identified extent research evidence gaps domains health, animal welfare. It will assist researchers, policy makers, service providers working these areas understanding characteristics complexities involving optimize supports.

Язык: Английский

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Young adults’ views on the mechanisms underpinning the impact of pets on symptoms of anxiety and depression

Frontiers in Psychiatry, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15

Опубликована: Фев. 15, 2024

Introduction Emerging adulthood is considered a peak age for the onset of mental health difficulties with approximately 75% disorders being diagnosed during this developmental period. Companion animals confer both risk and benefits to yet potential underpinning mechanisms which explain such impacts are not fully understood. This study aimed gather an in-depth understanding young adults’ lived experience how their companion dogs cats may impact symptoms perceived effects. Methods Semi-structured interviews were carried out 16 adults aged 18-26 years, from United Kingdom, who either had dog, cat, or both. All participants anxiety depression, 12 received formal diagnosis affective disorder. Results Five overarching themes one subtheme identified through reflexive thematic analysis using inductive approach: Theme 1: Pet on generalized panic, Subtheme 1A: social loneliness; 2: low mood, stress; 3: severe suicide prevention; 4: Staying well; 5: Positive outlook successful futures. Several pets also identified. Discussion These findings have relevance development evaluation interventions treatment protocols at difficulties, where prove be effective symptom management improvements in positive wellbeing.

Язык: Английский

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The impact of pet attachment, perceived value, and travel motivation on loyalty and intention to support in pet tourism: a multi-method approach

Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 1 - 14

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Beyond the Pet-Effect—Examining Bio-Psychosocial Aspects of Pet Ownership and Introducing the “Aunty Phenomenon”

Deleted Journal, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 2(1), С. 11 - 11

Опубликована: Фев. 26, 2025

Human–animal relationships have long been idealized as universally positive, but recent studies highlight the complexities and contradictions inherent in this bond. This study re-analyzes previously published data to examine nuanced effects of pet ownership on human well-being, particularly under stressful circumstances such COVID-19 pandemic. Using a mixed-methods approach, from three independent surveys (n = 840) were re-analyzed explore bio-psychosocial implications companionship. Key instruments included Quality Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Lexington Attachment Pets Scale (LAPS). Results revealed that was significantly associated with higher levels psychosocial stress, challenging assumption pets improve quality life. Notably, individuals current reported lower life compared non-owners. However, qualitative analyses illustrated perceived emotional social support among owners, reflecting “pet-effect paradox.” Mental health variables depression loneliness emerged stronger predictors well-being than attachment. introduces “Aunty Phenomenon” conceptual framework describe idealization relationships, while acknowledging responsibilities they entail. These findings underscore importance holistic approach human–animal bond research.

Язык: Английский

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The Value of Pets: The Quantifiable Impact of Pets on Life Satisfaction

Social Indicators Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 31, 2025

Язык: Английский

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