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Toyokuni K, Yamamoto-Hanada K, Yang L, Hagino K, Harama D, Omori M, Matsumoto Y, Suzuki D, Umezawa K, Takada K, Shimada M, Hirai S, Ishikawa F, Hamaguchi S, Saito-Abe M, Sato M, Miyaji Y, Kabashima S, Fukuie T, Noguchi E, Suzuki K, Ohya Y. Influence of household pet ownership and filaggrin loss-of-function mutations on eczema prevalence in children: A birth cohort study. Allergol Int 2024; 73:422-427. [PMID: 38302328 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between pet exposure in infancy, early childhood eczema, and FLG mutations remains unclear. METHODS This was a birth cohort study performed in Tokyo, Japan. The primary outcome was current eczema based on questionnaire responses collected repeatedly from birth to 5 years of age. Generalized estimating equations and generalized linear modeling were used to evaluate the association. RESULTS Data from 1448 participants were used for analyses. Household dog ownership during gestation, early infancy, and 18 months of age significantly reduced the risk of current eczema. Household cat ownership also reduced the risk of current eczema, albeit without statistical significance. The combined evaluation of children from households with pets, be it cats, dogs or both, the risk of current eczema at 1-5 years of age was lower in those with household pet exposure ownership during gestation (RR = 0.59, 95 % CI 0.45-0.77) and at 6 months (RR = 0.49, 95 % CI 0.36-0.68). , Reduced risks of eczema were also observed at 2-5 (RR = 0.52, 95 % CI 0.37-0.73) and 3-5 years of age (RR = 0.50 95 % CI 0.35-0.74) when the respective household pet ownership were evaluated at 18 months and 3 years of age. These protective associations of reduced risk of eczema were only observed in children without FLG mutations. CONCLUSIONS Household dog and pet (dog, cat, or both) ownership was protective against early childhood eczema in a birth cohort dataset. This protective association was observed only in children without FLG mutations, which should be confirmed in studies with larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Toyokuni
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health and Psychosocial Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Limin Yang
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouhei Hagino
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Harama
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Marei Omori
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Matsumoto
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daichi Suzuki
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Umezawa
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuma Takada
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Shimada
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiko Hirai
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumi Ishikawa
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health and Psychosocial Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Sayaka Hamaguchi
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayako Saito-Abe
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miori Sato
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health and Psychosocial Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yumiko Miyaji
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigenori Kabashima
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Fukuie
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emiko Noguchi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kohta Suzuki
- Department of Health and Psychosocial Medicine, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Ohya
- Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Garcia-Sanchez P, Romero-Trancón D, Sainz T, Calvo C, Iglesias I, Perez-Hernando B, Hurtado-Gallego J, Sánchez R, Alcolea S, Moya L, Mendez-Echevarria A. The role of veterinarians in zoonosis prevention: Advising families of immunocompromised children with pets. One Health 2024; 18:100662. [PMID: 38204817 PMCID: PMC10776649 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Pet ownership is widespread, offering numerous benefits to individuals and families. However, the risk of zoonotic diseases must be carefully considered, especially for immunosuppressed patients. Knowledge gaps in preventive measures for zoonoses have been identified, underscoring the vital role of veterinarians in addressing this issue. Objectives This study aimed to assess the knowledge and recommendations of veterinarians regarding pet ownership by immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, we compared these insights with responses from European healthcare professionals specializing in pediatric transplant recipients. Methods We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study involving small animal veterinarians in Spain. An online survey was administered to gather information on veterinarians' knowledge of zoonoses and their recommendations for immunocompromised pet owners. Results A survey of 514 individuals was collected from experienced veterinarians mainly working in primary care clinics. Surprisingly, 63% of respondents did not routinely inquire about the presence of immunocompromised individuals among pet owners, although 54% offered specific recommendations for this group. Most respondents adhered to deworming guidelines for pets owned by immunocompromised individuals and demonstrated sound practices in Leishmania and Leptospira prevention, as well as the avoidance of raw food. However, gaps were noted concerning Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccination. Notably, veterinarians outperformed medical professionals in their knowledge of zoonotic cases and identification of zoonotic microorganisms. The presence of specific recommendations in veterinary clinics was viewed positively by nearly all respondents. Conclusions Our findings indicate that veterinarians possess a superior understanding of zoonotic pathogens and exhibit greater proficiency in diagnosing zoonoses compared with physicians. They stay well-informed about recommendations outlined in established guidelines and are more likely to provide written recommendations in their clinics than physicians. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps among veterinarians emphasize the need for enhanced communication between medical and veterinary professionals. Reinforcing the "One Health" concept is imperative, with veterinarians playing a pivotal role in this collaborative effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Garcia-Sanchez
- Pediatric Emergency Department, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Talía Sainz
- Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, La Paz University Hospital and La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Infectious Diseases Network (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Department, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Calvo
- Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, La Paz University Hospital and La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Infectious Diseases Network (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Department, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Iglesias
- Center for Animal Health Research (CISA), INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Perez-Hernando
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Infectious Diseases Network (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
- Carlos III Health Institute, Spain
| | - Jara Hurtado-Gallego
- La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Infectious Diseases Network (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Sánchez
- La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Microbiology, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Alcolea
- Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, La Paz University Hospital and La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Infectious Diseases Network (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
- Doctoral Program in Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Moya
- IDEXX Laboratorios, S.L. Laboratory Key Account Manager, Spain
| | - Ana Mendez-Echevarria
- Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, La Paz University Hospital and La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in the Infectious Diseases Network (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Department, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Translational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain
- ERN TransplantChild, Spain
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King EK, Halbreich ED, Callina K, Mueller MK. Companion animals and the relationship between peer victimization and emotion regulation in youth. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2024; 34:85-95. [PMID: 37975498 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Peer victimization can negatively impact emotion regulation in youth and is associated with harmful mental health outcomes. One protective factor against the impacts of peer victimization is a strong attachment to family and positive peer relationships. Given that pets are commonly seen as family members and that youth report turning to their pet for emotional comfort, companion animals could provide an avenue of support for youth experiencing victimization. A geographically diverse sample of 5725 adolescents in the United States from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study® was used to explore whether the relationship between peer victimization and emotion regulation was moderated by whether a pet lives in the home. Having a pet in the home did not moderate the relationship between peer victimization and emotion regulation; however, mean-level differences were present across types of household pet (i.e., youth with no pets, youth with at least one dog, and youth with non-dog pets). Participants who did not live with a companion animal showed higher levels of both maladaptive emotion regulation (expressive suppression) and adaptive emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal), suggesting that having a pet might lower overall emotion regulation pathways regardless of adaptive directionality. Relational victimization was a significant predictor of expressive suppression regardless of whether there was a pet in the home, although overt victimization was not a predictor of either kind of emotion regulation. This research demonstrates the complex nature of human-animal relationships and suggests more research is needed to understand the nuanced relationship between pets, peer victimization, and emotion regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin K King
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
- Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Megan K Mueller
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA
- Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
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Russo TP, Borrelli L, Minichino A, Fioretti A, Dipineto L. Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Healthy Pet Rabbits. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:135-140. [PMID: 37844071 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous microorganism and an opportunistic pathogen responsible for numerous diseases in humans and animals, characterized by different clinical pictures with acute or subacute course. S. aureus, due to its great adaptability and versatility in terms of infections and hosts, can be considered a relevant pathogen because of the harmful effects on animal health and its potential for transmission from animals to humans and vice versa. In recent years, a marked increase in multidrug-resistant S. aureus has been reported, posing a serious threat for disease management, food safety, and animal and human health as they limit available therapeutic options. In light of a growing interest of the scientific community for this micro- organism and considering the limited data availability on the prevalence of this pathogen in pet rabbits, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the presence of S. aureus in pet rabbits. Materials and Methods: From November 2021 to December 2022, nasal swabs were collected from 50 pet rabbits from private households in the Campania Region, southern Italy, and underwent analysis for S. aureus detection. Samples were enriched in broth, then inoculated onto nutrient and selective media, including Blood agar base supplemented with 7% sheep blood and Baird-Parker Agar Base, following standard laboratory protocols. Incubations in aerobic conditions at 37°C were performed for 24/48h for colony identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for all S. aureus isolates was conducted using the disc diffusion method. Results: Our results reported the presence of S. aureus in 16/50 (32%) rabbits examined, showing high levels of phenotypic resistance to different antibiotics, in particular penicillin 10U (81.2%) and erythromycin 15 μg (62.5%). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that pet rabbits represent a significant reservoir of S. aureus and contributes to the knowledge on the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance of these bacteria in rabbits raised in a domestic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Pasqualina Russo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Borrelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriano Minichino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fioretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Ludovico Dipineto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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5
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Jiang H, Mei Y, Wang X, Wang W, Lin B, Zhao Z, Zhang Z. The influence of pet ownership on self-compassion among nurses: a cross-sectional study. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15288. [PMID: 37159831 PMCID: PMC10163869 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The modern lifestyle trend of pet ownership is undoubtedly beneficial for both physical and mental health. Research has shown a connection between pet ownership and staff self-compassion. However, there has not been any evidence linking pet ownership to self-compassion in the nurse population. Aims To investigate the current status of pet ownership among nurses and explore the influence of pet ownership on self-compassion among nurses. Methods An online survey was conducted in July 2022 with 1,308 nurses in China. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire and a self-compassion scale. To compare categorical variables, the independent t test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis were utilized. SPSS software was used for the statistical analysis. Results We found that 16.9% of nurses owned at least one pet, and dogs and cats were the primary pets. The t test for independent samples showed that pet owners and non-pet owners scored differently on self-compassion (t = 3.286, p = 0.001), self-kindness (t = 3.378, p = 0.001), common humanity (t = 2.419, p = 0.016), and mindfulness (t = 2.246, p = 0.025). One-way ANOVA revealed that the highest degree was an influencing factor of self-compassion (χ 2 = 1.386, p = 0.019). Multiple linear regression showed that average monthly income, pet ownership, and highest degree were the factors that influenced self-compassion most significantly (F = 8.335, p < 0.001). Conclusion The results revealed that nurses actually own pets as part of their modern lifestyle, which provides them with social support and potentially enhances their self-compassion. More efforts should be focused on the impact of pet ownership on nurses' physical and mental health, and pet-based interventions should also be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Jiang
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Nursing Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yongxia Mei
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenna Wang
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Beilei Lin
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhixin Zhao
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhenxiang Zhang
- School of Nursing and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Felipetto L, Fernandes F, Vogel F, Flores E, Botton S, Sangioni L. Demographics and health care profiles of dogs and cats associated with the socioeconomic profile of their tutors in areas assisted by Family Health Strategies in Brazil. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the demographic and healthcare situation of dogs and cats owned by families assisted by the Family Health Strategy (FHS), from Santa Maria/RS, Brazil. This research was a cross-sectional and population-based study developed by applying a questionnaire to residents in the 16 FHS areas of the city. This was the first study addressing pet animal conditions in the FHS area. A total of 414 households were studied, and 88.5% of them had pets (dogs and/or cats), with an average of 2.2 dogs and 0.8 cats per household. Only 18.4% (228/1.241) of the animals were sterilized (dogs, 15.1% [135/891]; cats, 26.7% [93/348]). When considering the number of dogs, households with one resident had fewer dogs than households with two or more residents (p=0.006). The level of education and family income were not associated with the number of animals (p>0.001). However, higher levels of education and family income were associated with the sterilization of dogs, veterinary monitoring, vaccination, and treatment of ectoparasites in dogs and cats (p<0.0001). Additionally, the higher family income was associated with a higher frequency of endoparasite treatment (p<0.05). The study shows a high average number of pets per household in FSH areas compared to the average household population as well as a lack of veterinary care, making it essential to promote responsible custody.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - F.D. Fernandes
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil; Faculdade Santo Ângelo (FASA), Brasil
| | - F.S.F. Vogel
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil
| | - E.F. Flores
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil
| | - S.A. Botton
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Brazil
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Pet ownership and survival of European older adults. Eur J Ageing 2022; 19:1549-1560. [PMID: 36692784 PMCID: PMC9638448 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-022-00739-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
With pet ownership on the rise, millions of individuals are exposed to this environmental exposure. Although the subject has been largely studied, more evidence is needed to clarify the potential association of pet ownership with human health. The aim of this research is to study the potential association of pet exposure (any pet, cat, dog, bird, fish) with all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality of older ([Formula: see text] 50 years) European residents. To this end, a total of 23,274 participants from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were employed (median follow-up 119 months). All-cause mortality (5163 events), as well as cardiovascular (CVD) (1832 events), and cancer mortality (1346 events) were examined using Cox Proportional Hazards models for their relation with pet exposure at baseline. Stratified analyses were also performed by gender and for single or multi-person households. No significant association was observed for any of the pets with all-cause mortality on the whole sample and the fully adjusted models. In stratified analyses, bird exposure significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality in women [Hazard Ratio [Formula: see text]; 95% CI 1.04-1.44] as well as women living alone [Formula: see text]; 95% CI 1.02-1.85). Cause-specific models revealed an increased risk of death for women bird owners for causes other than cancer and CVD [Formula: see text]; 95% CI 1.05-1.99). In conclusion, bird ownership may be negatively associated with survival of older women in Europe.
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8
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Ly LH, Gordon E, Protopopova A. Inequitable Flow of Animals in and Out of Shelters: Comparison of Community-Level Vulnerability for Owner-Surrendered and Subsequently Adopted Animals. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:784389. [PMID: 34869751 PMCID: PMC8635993 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.784389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing awareness among animal shelter professionals regarding the role of shelters in perpetuating inequities in pet ownership, although the relationship between owner vulnerabilities and animal shelter services is largely understudied. Currently, there is no literature comparing the sociodemographic conditions of communities where surrendered animals originate and communities where they are adopted. The present study compared the "flow" of surrendered animals between originating communities (incoming) and communities where they were adopted (outgoing; n = 21,270). To analyze community-level vulnerability, we used the Canadian Index of Multiple Deprivation (CIMD), which has four dimensions of social vulnerability. We found that three of the four CIMD dimensions were significantly different between surrendering and adopting communities (Ethnocultural Composition, Situational Vulnerability (SV), Economic Dependency, but not Residential Instability). For further investigation, we also grouped our analysis by intake groups (small animal n = 2,682; puppy n = 973; dog n = 3,446; kitten n = 6,436; cat n= 7,733) and found multiple relationships for which the incoming and outgoing CIMD quintiles were different. For example, for both puppies and kittens, the median outgoing SV quintile ranks were statistically significantly lower (less vulnerable) than incoming quintile ranks, with the effect size being moderate (puppy r = 0.31, kitten r = 0.30; p ≤ 0.0025), supporting the concern of the flow of certain animals from more vulnerable to less vulnerable communities. The results of this research provide a basis for understanding potential inequities in the use of shelter services to surrender or adopt an animal. Furthermore, these methods allow animal shelters to assess community needs and create interventions to reduce intake and increase adoption of animals. Finally, these data provide further support that animal sheltering is best considered from a One Welfare perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexis H Ly
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Emilia Gordon
- The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alexandra Protopopova
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Crawford KM, Zhu Y, Davis KA, Ernst S, Jacobsson K, Nishimi K, Smith ADAC, Dunn EC. The mental health effects of pet death during childhood: is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:1547-1558. [PMID: 32910227 PMCID: PMC7943653 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01594-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Pet ownership is common. Growing evidence suggests children form deep emotional attachments to their pets. Yet, little is known about children's emotional reactions to a pet's death. The goal of this study was to describe the relationship between experiences of pet death and risk of childhood psychopathology and determine if it was "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all". Data came from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a UK-based prospective birth cohort (n = 6260). Children were characterized based on their exposure to pet ownership and pet death from birth to age 7 (never loved; loved without loss; loved with loss). Psychopathology symptoms at age 8 were compared across groups using multivariable linear regression. Psychopathology symptoms were higher among children who had loved with loss compared to those who had loved without loss (β = 0.35, p = 0.013; 95% CI = 0.07, 0.63), even after adjustment for other adversities. This group effect was more pronounced in males than in females. There was no difference in psychopathology symptoms between children who had loved with loss and those who had never loved (β = 0.20, p = 0.31, 95% CI = -0.18-0.58). The developmental timing, recency, or accumulation of pet death was unassociated with psychopathology symptoms. Pet death may be traumatic for children and associated with subsequent mental health difficulties. Where childhood pet ownership and pet bereavement is concerned, Tennyson's pronouncement may not apply to children's grief responses: it may not be "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all".
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yiwen Zhu
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn A Davis
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha Ernst
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristina Jacobsson
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen Nishimi
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan, School of Public Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew D A C Smith
- Applied Statistics Group, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Erin C Dunn
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Center On the Developing Child at Harvard University, 185 Cambridge Street, Simches Research Building 6th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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10
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Mueller MK, King EK, Callina K, Dowling-Guyer S, McCobb E. Demographic and contextual factors as moderators of the relationship between pet ownership and health. Health Psychol Behav Med 2021; 9:701-723. [PMID: 34395058 PMCID: PMC8356805 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2021.1963254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Companion animals are an important feature of the family system, and human-animal interaction is increasingly being recognized as an important social determinant of health. However, there is a need for more nuanced assessment of not only who owns pets, but how pet ownership is related to various health outcomes, and which sociodemographic and contextual factors moderate these associations. DESIGN Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected from an online, probability-based panel to generate a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States (n = 1267). Data were analyzed using hierarchical and logistic regression models. RESULTS Results suggested that pet owners are systematically different from non-pet owners on a number of key demographic and contextual characteristics, and these differences vary somewhat when looking at dog owners and cat owners. When controlling for individual and family-level covariates, pet ownership was not associated with overall health status or Body Mass Index, but dog ownership was associated with higher levels of physical activity. Pet ownership was associated with higher odds of having an anxiety disorder with gender moderating this relationship, but this association was not present for dog or cat owners, suggesting this relationship is limited to other types of pets. Higher odds of depression were associated with pet ownership (for both dog and cat owners), with employment status significantly moderating the relationship between dog ownership status and depression. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that pet ownership is a complex and context specific phenomenon. Future research should carefully consider and control for sociodemographic predictors and use measurement and analysis approaches sensitive to the variations in human-animal relationships to fully understand how pets contribute to individual and family health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan K. Mueller
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
- Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University
| | - Erin K. King
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
- Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University
| | | | - Seana Dowling-Guyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
| | - Emily McCobb
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
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Minatoya M, Ikeda-Araki A, Miyashita C, Itoh S, Kobayashi S, Yamazaki K, Ait Bamai Y, Saijo Y, Sato Y, Ito Y, Kishi R. Association between Early Life Child Development and Family Dog Ownership: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18137082. [PMID: 34281019 PMCID: PMC8295854 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pets may play a role in the social-emotional development of children. In particular, some studies have suggested that family dog ownership is associated with better health outcomes. To date, no study has assessed child development in association with dog ownership of different time points. The purpose of the current study was primary to investigate whether “ever” family dog ownership was associated with early child development, and secondary to further examine whether associations between family dog ownership and early child development differ among family dog ownership of status, including “past only”, “current only”, and “always” groups, using the data of family dog ownership obtained at multiple time points. Associations between family dog ownership and infant development at 3 years of age were examined using data from a nationwide prospective birth cohort study, the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (n = 78,941). “Ever” family dog ownership was categorized to “past only”, “current only”, and “always”. We observed that children with “ever” family dog ownership showed a significantly decreased risk of developmental delay in the communication (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78, 0.96), gross motor (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.92), problem-solving (OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83, 0.96) and personal-social (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.92) domains compared to children with “never” family dog ownership. Furthermore, a significantly decreased risk of developmental delay in gross motor function was observed in association with living with dogs in the “past only” (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.95) and “always” (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.98). In addition, a decreased risk of developmental delay in the problem-solving domain was associated with “past” family dog ownership (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.97) and in the personal-social domain was associated with “always” family dog ownership (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.68, 0.95). Given the possible positive association between early life child development and family dog ownership, living with dogs may be an important factor to be considered when assessing child development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machiko Minatoya
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Atsuko Ikeda-Araki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Sachiko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Sumitaka Kobayashi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
| | - Yasuaki Saijo
- Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (Y.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yukihiro Sato
- Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (Y.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yoshiya Ito
- Faculty of Nursing, Japanese Red Cross Hokkaido College of Nursing, Kitami 090-0011, Japan;
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan; (M.M.); (A.I.-A.); (C.M.); (S.I.); (S.K.); (K.Y.); (Y.A.B.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Du G, Huang H, Zhu Q, Ying L. Effects of cat ownership on the gut microbiota of owners. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253133. [PMID: 34133453 PMCID: PMC8208556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pet ownership is an essential environmental exposure that might influence the health of the owner. This study’s primary objectives were to explore the effects of cat ownership on the gut microbial diversity and composition of owners. Raw data from the American Gut Project were obtained from the SRA database. A total of 214 Caucasian individuals (111 female) with cats and 214 individuals (111 female) without cats were used in the following analysis. OTU number showed significant alteration in the Cat group and Female_cat group, compared with that of the no cat (NC) group and Female_ NC group, respectively. Compared with the NC group, the microbial phylum Proteobacteria was significantly decreased in the Cat group. The microbial families Alcaligenaceae and Pasteurellaceae were significantly reduced, while Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were significantly increased in the Cat group. Fifty metabolic pathways were predicted to be significantly changed in the Cat group. Twenty-one and 13 metabolic pathways were predicted to be significantly changed in the female_cat and male_cat groups, respectively. Moreover, the microbial phylum Cyanobacteria was significantly decreased, while the families Alcaligenaceae, Pseudomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae were significantly changed in the normal weight cat group. In addition, 41 and 7 metabolic pathways were predicted to be significantly changed in the normal-weight cat and overweight cat groups, respectively. Therefore, this study demonstrated that cat ownership could influence owners’ gut microbiota composition and function, especially in the female group and normal-weight group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guankui Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- * E-mail: (GKD); (YL)
| | - Hairong Huang
- School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Qiwei Zhu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Li Ying
- Haikou Customs, Haikou, China
- * E-mail: (GKD); (YL)
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Neville V, Mounty J, Benato L, Hunter K, Mendl M, Paul ES. Pet rat welfare in the United Kingdom: The good, the bad and the ugly. Vet Rec 2021; 189:e559. [PMID: 34101201 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, despite the substantial literature investigating how rats prefer to be kept in captivity, no research has been conducted to assess the housing, husbandry and health of pet rats. METHODS To better understand the United Kingdom's pet rat population and the welfare issues they face, we conducted an online survey of pet rat owners. The survey included questions about the owner and their opinions about pet rats, and about their rats' health, husbandry and housing. RESULTS The results, from 677 complete responses, highlighted areas of rat care that were "good", "bad" and "ugly" (i.e. likely to be highly detrimental to welfare). The good was that many rats were provided with a social companion and enrichment; the bad was that we could not be certain whether rats had a sufficiently nutritious diet or sufficient opportunities to explore or adequate nesting substrate; and the ugly included cases of exposure of rats to predator species within the home and a generally high prevalence of disease. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that there is much cause for concern about the welfare of pet rats in the United Kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikki Neville
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jessica Mounty
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Livia Benato
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,City Vets, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Michael Mendl
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Rowe H, Jarrin DC, Noel NAO, Ramil J, McGrath JJ. The curious incident of the dog in the nighttime: The effects of pet-human co-sleeping and bedsharing on sleep dimensions of children and adolescents. Sleep Health 2021; 7:324-331. [PMID: 33935015 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pets are often thought to be detrimental to sleep. Up to 75% of households with children have a pet, and 30-50% of adults and children regularly share their bed with their pets. Despite these high rates, few studies have examined the effect of pet-human co-sleeping on pediatric sleep. This study compared subjective and objective sleep in youth who never, sometimes, or frequently co-slept with pets. METHODS Children (N = 188; aged 11-17 years; M = 13.25 years) and their parents answered standardized sleep questionnaires assessing timing, duration, onset latency, awakenings, and sleep quality. Children completed a home polysomnography (PSG) sleep study for one night and wore an actigraph for two weeks accompanied with daily sleep diary. Based on reported frequency of bedsharing with pets, children were stratified into three co-sleeping groups: never (65.4%), sometimes (16.5%), frequently (18.1%). RESULTS Overall, 34.6% of children reported co-sleeping with their pet sometimes or frequently. Results revealed largely identical sleep profiles across co-sleeping groups; findings were congruent across sleep measurement (subjective: child, parent report; objective: PSG, actigraphy). Effect sizes indicated that frequent co-sleepers had the highest overall subjective sleep quality, but longest PSG onset-latency compared to the sometimes group. CONCLUSIONS Co-sleeping with pets was prevalent in one third of children. Sleep dimensions were similar regardless of how frequently children reported sharing their bed with their pet. Future research should examine dyadic measurement of co-sleepers to derive causal evidence to better inform sleep recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary Rowe
- Pediatric Public Health Psychology Laboratory, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Denise C Jarrin
- Pediatric Public Health Psychology Laboratory, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Neressa A O Noel
- Pediatric Public Health Psychology Laboratory, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Joanne Ramil
- Pediatric Public Health Psychology Laboratory, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jennifer J McGrath
- Pediatric Public Health Psychology Laboratory, Concordia University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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15
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Holland KE, Mead R, Casey RA, Upjohn MM, Christley RM. " Don't Bring Me a Dog…I'll Just Keep It": Understanding Unplanned Dog Acquisitions Amongst a Sample of Dog Owners Attending Canine Health and Welfare Community Events in the United Kingdom. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030605. [PMID: 33668882 PMCID: PMC7996527 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dogs are the most common companion animal in the United Kingdom; however, the pet dog acquisition process is not fully understood. It is important that stakeholders, including those working in the canine welfare sector, understand this process to enable them to provide appropriate support for dog owners across the stages of acquisition and ownership. This paper reports on qualitative findings from interviews conducted with dog owners, which sought to understand their motivations for dog acquisition. It was found that many owners had not intended to acquire a dog. In some cases, people had taken on a dog when a relative or friend became unable to care for the dog, whilst others had happened upon a dog in need. Emotional connections with the dog or a desire to help an animal in need were commonly reported motivations for keeping the dog. More research is needed to understand how common unplanned acquisitions are. Abstract Understanding the factors that result in people becoming dog owners is key to developing messaging around responsible acquisition and providing appropriate support for prospective owners to ensure a strong dog–owner bond and optimise dog welfare. This qualitative study investigated factors that influence pet dog acquisition. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 142 sets of dog owners/caretakers at 23 Dogs Trust community events. Interviews focused on the motivations and influences that impacted how people acquired their dogs. Transcribed interviews and notes were thematically analysed. Two acquisition types were reported, that each accounted for half of our interviewees’ experiences: planned and unplanned. Whilst planned acquisitions involved an intentional search for a dog, unplanned acquisitions occurred following an unexpected and unsought opportunity to acquire one. Unplanned acquisitions frequently involved a participant’s family or friends, people happening upon a dog in need, or dogs received as gifts. Motivations for deciding to take the dog included emotional attachments and a desire to help a vulnerable animal. Many reported making the decision to acquire the dog without hesitation and without conducting any pre-acquisition research. These findings present valuable insights for designers of interventions promoting responsible acquisition and ownership, because there is minimal opportunity to deliver messaging with these unplanned acquisitions. Additionally, these findings may guide future research to develop more complete understandings of the acquisition process. Further studies are required to understand the prevalence of unplanned acquisitions.
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Rosano J, Howell T, Conduit R, Bennett P. Co-Sleeping between Adolescents and Their Pets May Not Impact Sleep Quality. Clocks Sleep 2021; 3:1-11. [PMID: 33406702 PMCID: PMC7838871 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep3010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pet–owner co-sleeping is increasingly common in some parts of the world. Adult owners often subjectively report benefits of co-sleeping with pets, although objective actigraphy reports conversely indicate sleep disruptions due to the pet. Because limited research is available regarding pet–owner co-sleeping in non-adult samples, the aim of this two-part study was to explore whether co-sleeping improves sleep quality in adolescents, an age group in which poor sleep patterns are well documented. In Study One, an online survey with 265 pet-owning 13-to-17-year-old participants found that over 78% co-slept with their pet. Average sleep quality scores for co-sleepers and non-co-sleepers indicated generally poor sleep, with no differences in sleep quality depending on age, gender, or co-sleeping status. Study Two consisted of two preliminary case studies, using actigraphy on dog–adolescent co-sleepers. In both cases, high sleep concordance was observed, but owners again experienced generally poor sleep quality. Future actigraphy research is needed, including larger sample sizes and a control group of non-co-sleepers, to validate the preliminary findings from this study, but our limited evidence suggests that co-sleeping with a pet may not impact sleep quality in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rosano
- Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia; (J.R.); (P.B.)
| | - Tiffani Howell
- Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia; (J.R.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Russell Conduit
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia;
| | - Pauleen Bennett
- Anthrozoology Research Group, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3552, Australia; (J.R.); (P.B.)
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17
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Kuranova A, Booij SH, de Jonge P, Jeronimus B, Lin A, Wardenaar KJ, Wichers M, Wigman JTW. Don't worry, be happy: Protective factors to buffer against distress associated with psychotic experiences. Schizophr Res 2020; 223:79-86. [PMID: 32473933 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Around 6-7% of the general population report psychotic experiences (PEs). Positive PEs (e.g. hearing voices) may increase the risk of development of psychotic disorder. An important predictor of the transition to a psychotic disorder is secondary distress associated with PEs. We examined the moderating effect of potential protective factors on this secondary distress. METHODS Data come from 2870 individuals of the HowNutsAreTheDutch study. PEs were assessed with the Community Assessment of Psychic Experience (CAPE) questionnaire and were divided into three subdomains ("Bizarre experiences", "Delusional ideations", and "Perceptual anomalies"). Protective factors explored were having a partner, having a pet, benevolent types of humor, optimism and the high levels of personality traits emotional stability (reversed neuroticism), extraversion, openness to experience, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. We examined whether these protective factors moderated (lowered) the association between frequency of PEs and PE-associated distress. RESULTS Due to low prevalence of perceptual anomalies in the sample, this domain was excluded from analysis. No moderating effects were observed of protective factors on the association between bizarre experiences and distress. Having a partner and high levels of optimism, self-enhancing humor, openness, extraversion and emotional stability moderated the association between delusional ideations and secondary distress, leading to lower levels of distress. CONCLUSIONS Several protective factors were found to moderate the association between frequency and secondary distress of delusional ideations, with high levels of the protective factors being associated with lower levels of distress. A focus on protective factors could be relevant for interventions and prevention strategies regarding psychotic phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kuranova
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP) Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Sanne H Booij
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP) Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Research and Education, Friesland Mental Health Care Services, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Center for Integrative Psychiatry, Lentis, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter de Jonge
- University of Groningen, Department of Developmental Psychology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bertus Jeronimus
- University of Groningen, Department of Developmental Psychology, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ashleigh Lin
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Klaas J Wardenaar
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP) Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Wichers
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP) Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Johanna T W Wigman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center Psychiatry (UCP) Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Research and Education, Friesland Mental Health Care Services, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
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Pets Are Associated with Fewer Peer Problems and Emotional Symptoms, and Better Prosocial Behavior: Findings from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. J Pediatr 2020; 220:200-206.e2. [PMID: 32093933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the longitudinal association between pet ownership and children's social-emotional development. STUDY DESIGN Two time-points of data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children were analyzed for children at ages 5 (n = 4242) and 7 (n = 4431) years. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) measured children's social-emotional development. Pet ownership status and type (dog, cat, other) as well as sociodemographic and other potential confounders were collected. Longitudinal panel regression models were used. RESULTS Overall, 27% of children had abnormal scores on 1 or more SDQ scales. By age 7, 75% of children had pets with ownership highest in single-child households. Owning any type of pet was associated with decreased odds of abnormal scores for emotional symptoms (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99), peer problems (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.84), and prosocial behavior (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.38-0.70), compared with non-pet owners. Dog ownership was associated with decreased odds of abnormal scores on any of the SDQ scales (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71-0.93). For children without any siblings, only the prosocial behavior scale was significantly associated with pet ownership (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07-0.66). In longitudinal models, cat-only and dog-only groups were associated with fewer emotional symptoms and peer problems compared with non-pet owners. CONCLUSIONS Early school age is an important period for family pet acquisition. Pets may protect children from developing social-emotional problems and should be taken into account when assessing child development and school readiness. Children without siblings may benefit most in terms of their prosocial behavior.
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Brown BB, Jensen WA. Dog Ownership and Walking: Perceived and Audited Walkability and Activity Correlates. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17041385. [PMID: 32098076 PMCID: PMC7068326 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Few studies assess dog ownership and walking with both self-reported or perceived and audited or objective walkability and physical activity measures. Across two years, we examined both types of walkability and activity measures for residents living within 2km of a “complete street”—one renovated with light rails, bike lanes, and sidewalks. Audited walkability (Irvine–Minnesota Inventory) was more consistently related to dog ownership and walking groups than perceived walkability (Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale—Abbreviated). Self-reported leisure walking was much higher (289–383 min per week) among dog walkers than among other groups (100–270 min per week), despite no difference in accelerometer-measured light or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Furthermore, the most powerful difference between groups involved single-family detached home residence, which was much lower among non-dog-owners (44%) than among non-dog-walkers or dog walkers (81% and 70%, respectively). Given discrepancies across walkability and activity measures, we recommend future use of walkability audits and objectively measured physical activity over the current emphasis on self-report measures. We also urge greater attention to increased densities of housing, which may negatively affect dog ownership levels unless compensating supports for dog ownership and walking are created by public health messaging, dog-friendly policies, and dog-friendly housing and community design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara B. Brown
- Department of Family & Consumer Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Correspondence:
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Endo K, Yamasaki S, Ando S, Kikusui T, Mogi K, Nagasawa M, Kamimura I, Ishihara J, Nakanishi M, Usami S, Hiraiwa-Hasegawa M, Kasai K, Nishida A. Dog and Cat Ownership Predicts Adolescents' Mental Well-Being: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17030884. [PMID: 32023841 PMCID: PMC7037461 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17030884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A potential association between pet ownership and mental well-being is suggested, but there is a shortage of high-quality longitudinal studies that consider probable differences among different species. We aimed to examine whether ownership of the most popular pets (dogs and cats) would predict mental well-being. The Tokyo Teen Cohort (TTC), a prospective population-based birth cohort study, had dog and cat ownership data at age 10 and mental well-being score at ages 10 and 12 from 2584 adolescents. Linear regression analysis with adjusting for covariates showed that dog ownership had a positive effect on mental well-being compared to no dog ownership, however, cat ownership had a negative effect compared to no cat ownership. Two-factor mixed-design analysis of variance showed that dog ownership predicted maintained mental well-being, while cat ownership predicted progressing decline of mental well-being. Thus, dog and cat ownership may have different effects on adolescents’ mental well-being, implying that the underlying mechanisms that are activated by these types of ownership may differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Endo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; (K.E.); (M.N.); (A.N.)
| | - Syudo Yamasaki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; (K.E.); (M.N.); (A.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-3-6834-2296
| | - Shuntaro Ando
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; (S.A.); (K.K.)
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (T.K.); (K.M.); (M.N.); (I.K.)
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (T.K.); (K.M.); (M.N.); (I.K.)
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (T.K.); (K.M.); (M.N.); (I.K.)
| | - Itsuka Kamimura
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan; (T.K.); (K.M.); (M.N.); (I.K.)
| | - Junko Ishihara
- Department of Food and Life Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan;
| | - Miharu Nakanishi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; (K.E.); (M.N.); (A.N.)
| | - Satoshi Usami
- Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan;
| | - Mariko Hiraiwa-Hasegawa
- School of Advanced Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Shonan Village, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan;
| | - Kiyoto Kasai
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; (S.A.); (K.K.)
| | - Atsushi Nishida
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan; (K.E.); (M.N.); (A.N.)
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Cat and Dog Ownership in Early Life and Infant Development: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of Japan Environment and Children's Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 17:ijerph17010205. [PMID: 31892205 PMCID: PMC6981655 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Contact with companion animals has been suggested to have important roles in enhancing child development. However, studies focused on child development and pet ownership at a very early age are limited. The purpose of the current study was to investigate child development in relation to pet ownership at an early age in a nationwide prospective birth cohort study: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. Associations between cat and dog ownership at six months and infant development at 12 months of age were examined in this study. Infant development was assessed using the Ages & Stages QuestionnairesTM (ASQ-3) at 12 months. Among participants of (Japan Environment and Children’s Study) JECS, those with available data of cat and dog ownership at six months and data for the ASQ-3 at 12 months were included (n = 78,868). Having dogs showed higher percentages of pass in all five domains measured by ASQ-3 (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social) compared to those who did not have dogs. Significantly decreased odds ratios (ORs) of developmental delays were observed in association with having dogs in all fix domains (communication: OR = 0.73, gross motor: OR = 0.86, fine motor: OR = 0.84, problem-solving: OR = 0.90, personal-social: OR = 0.83). This study suggested that early life dog ownership may reduce the risks of child developmental delays.
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Yolken R, Stallings C, Origoni A, Katsafanas E, Sweeney K, Squire A, Dickerson F. Exposure to household pet cats and dogs in childhood and risk of subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225320. [PMID: 31790431 PMCID: PMC6886852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been associated with environmental exposures in early life. Contact with household pets such as cats and dogs can serve as a source of environmental exposure during these time periods. Methods We investigated the relationship between exposure to a household pet cat or dog during the first 12 years of life and having a subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. These studies were performed in a cohort of 396 individuals with schizophrenia, 381 with bipolar disorder, and 594 controls. The hazards of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder associated with first exposure to a household pet cat or dog were calculated using Cox Proportional Hazard and multivariate logistic regression models including socio-demographic covariates. Results We found that exposure to a household pet dog was associated with a significantly decreased hazard of having a subsequent diagnosis of schizophrenia (Hazard Ratio .75, p < .002) Furthermore, a significant decreased relative risk of schizophrenia was detected following exposure at birth and during the first years of life. There was no significant relationship between household exposure to a pet dog and bipolar disorder. There were no significant associations between exposure to a household pet cat and subsequent risk of either a schizophrenia or bipolar disorder diagnosis. However, there were trends towards an increased risk of both disorders at defined periods of exposure. Conclusions Exposure to household pets during infancy and childhood may be associated with altered rates of development of psychiatric disorders in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Yolken
- Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Cassie Stallings
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrea Origoni
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Emily Katsafanas
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kevin Sweeney
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amalia Squire
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Faith Dickerson
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Purewal R, Christley R, Kordas K, Joinson C, Meints K, Gee N, Westgarth C. Socio-demographic factors associated with pet ownership amongst adolescents from a UK birth cohort. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:334. [PMID: 31533719 PMCID: PMC6751746 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In developed nations, pet ownership is common within families. Both physical and psychological health benefits may result from owning a pet during childhood and adolescence. However, it is difficult to determine whether these benefits are due to pet ownership directly or to factors linked to both pet ownership and health. Previous research found associations between a range of socio-demographic factors and pet ownership in seven-year-old children from a UK cohort. The current study extends this research to adolescence, considering that these factors may be important to consider in future Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) research across childhood. Results The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) collected pet ownership data prospectively via maternal reports from gestation up to age 10 years old and via self-report retrospectively at age 18 for ages 11 (n = 3063) to 18 years old (n = 3098) on cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, birds, fish, tortoise/turtles and horses. The dataset also contains a wide range of potential confounders, including demographic and socio-economic variables. The ownership of all pet types peaked at age 11 (80%) and then decreased during adolescence, with the exclusion of cats which remained constant (around 30%), and dogs which increased through 11–18 years (26–37%). Logistic regression was used to build multivariable models for ownership of each pet type at age 13 years, and the factors identified in these models were compared to previously published data for 7 year-olds in the same cohort. There was some consistency with predictors reported at age 7. Generally sex, birth order, maternal age, maternal education, number of people in the household, house type, and concurrent ownership of other pets were associated with pet ownership at both 7 and 13 years (the direction of association varied according to pet type). Factors that were no longer associated with adolescent pet ownership included child ethnicity, paternal education, and parental social class. Conclusions A number of socio-demographic factors are associated with pet ownership in childhood and adolescence and they differ according to the type of pet, and age of child. These factors are potential confounders that must be considered in future HAI studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Purewal
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Robert Christley
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Katarzyna Kordas
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA.,School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Carol Joinson
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Kerstin Meints
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Sarah Swift Building, Brayford Wharf East, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 7AY, UK
| | - Nancy Gee
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY, 14063, USA.,WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Leics, LE14 4RT, UK
| | - Carri Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 7TE, UK
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Evidence of large genetic influences on dog ownership in the Swedish Twin Registry has implications for understanding domestication and health associations. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7554. [PMID: 31101867 PMCID: PMC6525200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44083-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs were the first domesticated animal and, according to the archaeological evidence, have had a close relationship with humans for at least 15,000 years. Today, dogs are common pets in our society and have been linked to increased well-being and improved health outcomes in their owners. A dog in the family during childhood is associated with ownership in adult life. The underlying factors behind this association could be related to experiences or to genetic influences. We aimed to investigate the heritability of dog ownership in a large twin sample including all twins in the Swedish Twin Registry born between 1926 and 1996 and alive in 2006. Information about dog ownership was available from 2001 to 2016 from national dog registers. The final data set included 85,542 twins from 50,507 twin pairs with known zygosity, where information on both twins were available in 35,035 pairs. Structural equation modeling was performed to estimate additive genetic effects (the heritability), common/shared environmental, and unique/non-shared environmental effects. We found that additive genetic factors largely contributed to dog ownership, with heritability estimated at 57% for females and 51% for males. An effect of shared environmental factors was only observed in early adulthood. In conclusion, we show a strong genetic contribution to dog ownership in adulthood in a large twin study. We see two main implications of this finding: (1) genetic variation may have contributed to our ability to domesticate dogs and other animals and (2) potential pleiotropic effects of genetic variation affecting dog ownership should be considered in studies examining health impacts of dog ownership.
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Holland KE. Acquiring a Pet Dog: A Review of Factors Affecting the Decision-Making of Prospective Dog Owners. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9040124. [PMID: 30925784 PMCID: PMC6523466 DOI: 10.3390/ani9040124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Each year, many people around the world get a pet dog. With so many different types and breeds of dogs available, and a variety of sources from which to obtain a dog, the process of getting a dog can be complex. The decisions involved in this process are likely influenced by a variety of human- and dog-related factors and this review explores the factors that appear to be the most important. Abstract Given the prevalence of pet dogs in households throughout the world, decisions regarding dog acquisition affect many people each year. Across the stages of dog acquisition there is potential for practices that may promote or compromise canine welfare. For instance, prospective owners may not fully understand the time, energy and financial commitment entailed in their decision to acquire a dog. Thus, it is pressing that stakeholders, including those working in the canine welfare sector, refine their ability to identify and respond to trends in the behavior of potential dog owners. The motivations, attitudes and behaviors of current and prospective dog owners is a small but growing area of interdisciplinary study. Yet, no synthesis of the evidence exists. To address this gap, this critical review collates data and insights from studies published by academic researchers and animal welfare charities. The most widely reported factors associated with acquisition behavior include: the dog’s physical appearance, behavior and health; social influences, such as trends in the popularity of certain breeds; demographic and socioeconomic factors; and the owner’s previous ownership experience. Overall, the research discussed in this paper highlights that complex interactions likely underpin the various factors that might influence prospective owners’ motivators and behaviors.
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Milutinović J, Arsenijević L, Ružić-Zečević D. Students' attitudes about the ethics of using animals for experimental purposes. SCRIPTA MEDICA 2019. [DOI: 10.5937/scriptamed50-20996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Jacobson KC, Chang L. Associations Between Pet Ownership and Attitudes Toward Pets With Youth Socioemotional Outcomes. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2304. [PMID: 30534102 PMCID: PMC6275470 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence regarding the effects of pet ownership and related variables on youth socioemotional development is mixed. Inconsistencies across studies may be due to a variety of factors, including the use of different outcomes measured across studies, small potential effect sizes, and use of selected samples. In addition, studies have not systematically controlled for demographic characteristics that may bias results, nor have studies systematically examined whether effects are consistent across different subgroups. The present study examined the impact of pet ownership and attitudes toward pets on four measures of youth socioemotional outcomes: delinquency, depressed mood, empathy, and prosocial behavior. Linear mixed-effect regression analyses were conducted on 342 youth (48.0% male) aged 9-19 (M = 14.05, SD = 1.77) from a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse sample. The majority (59.1%) of youth currently lived with a dog or cat and all participants completed the Pet Attitude Scale-Modified. Pet owners reported lower delinquency and higher empathy than non-owners; however, group differences became non-significant once demographic factors were controlled for. Attitudes toward pets was significantly associated with all four outcomes. More positive attitudes was modestly associated with lower delinquency (β = -0.22, p < 0.001) and higher empathy (β = 0.31, p < 0.001), with smaller effects for depressed mood (β = -0.12, p = 0.04) and prosocial behavior (β = 0.12, p = 0.02). For delinquency, empathy, and prosocial behavior, effects were only slightly attenuated and remained statistically significant after controlling for gender, age, race/ethnicity, family socioeconomic status, and pet ownership, although the effect for depressed mood became non-significant after inclusion of these demographic factors. While there was some variability in effect sizes across different subgroups, none of the interactions between attitudes toward pets and gender, race/ethnicity, age, family SES, or pet ownership was statistically significant, indicating that the effects may transcend individual differences in demographic characteristics. Overall, the study adds to a growing body of work supporting a positive relationship between emotional bonds with pets and youth socioemotional outcomes and offers potential explanations for inconsistencies across previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen C. Jacobson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Hart LA, Hart BL, Thigpen AP, Willits NH, Lyons LA, Hundenski S. Compatibility of Cats With Children in the Family. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:278. [PMID: 30510933 PMCID: PMC6252378 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although studies involving pet dogs and cats, and human adults and children, have been reported, the specific interactions between cats and children have not. This study sought information from parents about the cat's role in families that have at least one child 3-12 years of age and at least one cat. Demographic data on cat source, breed, gender/neuter status, was sought as well as information on adults and children in the families and on affectionate, aggressive, fearful, and playful responses of the cats to children. A convenience sample was recruited via listservs for pet owners and parents. Using a pilot tested web survey, descriptive statistics were based on 865 respondents. Multi-variate statistical analyses were conducted on data from 665 respondents with complete responses for all items, including respondents' locations and whether cats were adopted as kittens. Multi-variate analyses included consideration of demographic data, geographic region of respondents, behavioral characteristics of the cats, and responses of the children to the cats. From descriptive statistics, cats' affection was more typical with adults than young children. Neuter status or gender was unrelated to cats' aggression or affection. Being the family's only cat was associated with heightened aggression and reduced affection. Younger cats were more likely to be affectionate. Multivariate analysis revealed three primary factors accounting for children's compatibility with the specified cat: positive interactions of the cat, aggression/fearfulness of cat, and the cat's playfulness and children's reaction to the cats. Positive child-cat relationships were more typical with two or more adults and multiple cats in the home. Old cats were the least satisfactory. A breeder or shelter was a better source than as a feral, from a newspaper ad, or another source. European respondents rated their cats' interactions with children more favorably than in U.S./Canada. This difference may reflect the European adoptions more frequently being of kittens, often purebred, assuring more early handling within the family. A noteworthy finding was that all family participants, humans, and pets alike, affect the cat-child relationship, and these results reveal that many variables can play a role in achieving a desirable relationship for a cat and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynette A. Hart
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Hart
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Abigail P. Thigpen
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Neil H. Willits
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Leslie A. Lyons
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Stefanie Hundenski
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW As the science of the microbiome advances, social epidemiologists can contribute to understanding how the broader social environment shapes the microbiome over the life course. This review summarizes current research and describes potential mechanisms of the social epidemiology of the microbiome. RECENT FINDINGS Most existing literature linking the social environment and the microbiome comes from animal models, focused on the impact of social interactions and psychosocial stress. Suggestive evidence of the importance of early life exposures, health behaviors, and the built environment also point to the importance of the social environment for the microbiome in humans. SUMMARY Social epidemiology as a field is well poised to contribute expertise in theory and measurement of the broader social environment to this new area, and to consider both the upstream and downstream mechanisms by which this environment gets "under the skin" and "into the gut." As population-level microbiome data becomes increasingly available, we encourage investigation of the multi-level determinants of the microbiome and how the microbiome may link the social environment and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Beam Dowd
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King’s College London, The Strand, London, WC2R 2LS UK
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027 USA
| | - Audrey Renson
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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van Uhm DP. The social construction of the value of wildlife: A green cultural criminological perspective. THEORETICAL CRIMINOLOGY 2018; 22:384-401. [PMID: 30245576 PMCID: PMC6120127 DOI: 10.1177/1362480618787170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The trade in wildlife is not a new phenomenon. The earliest civilizations were linked to the trade in live animals and parts thereof, from the Egyptian pharaohs to aristocrats in the modern era. This article focuses on the history of the wildlife trade in order to understand the social construction of the value of wildlife. In dynamic social and cultural contexts, the meaning of wildlife changes. Historically, exotic animals and the products thereof were associated with social elites, but today, wildlife attracts people from all walks of life and a wide variety of live animals and products thereof are traded for functional, symbolic and social purposes. Increasing ecocentric and biocentric values in contemporary western society, however, may influence constructed demand patterns for wildlife in the near future. By integrating cultural criminological concepts with the social construction of green crimes, this article aims to understand constructed wildlife consumerism through the ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan P van Uhm
- Daan P. van Uhm, Utrecht University, Newtonlaan 231, Utrecht, 3584BH, The Netherlands.
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Barker SB, Schubert CM, Barker RT, Kuo SIC, Kendler KS, Dick DM. The Relationship between Pet Ownership, Social Support, and Internalizing Symptoms in Students from the First to Fourth Year of College. APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE 2018; 24:279-293. [PMID: 32742161 PMCID: PMC7394412 DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2018.1476148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Internalizing symptoms are prevalent in students as they enter and complete college. Considering research suggesting mental health benefits of pet ownership, this study explores the relationship between pet ownership, social support (SS), and internalizing symptoms (IS) in a cohort of students across their 4-year college experience. With no differences at college entry, students growing up with pets had greater IS through the fourth year, and greater SS through the third year, than those without pets. Currently living with a pet, gender, SS and personality predicted IS in the fourth year. Females experiencing higher IS in their first year are more likely to live with pets in their fourth year, and fourth year females living with pets or greatly missing absent pets have higher IS than females without pets or missing pets less. Findings suggest a unique relationship between IS in female students and their pet relationships not seen in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra B. Barker
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Human-Animal Interaction, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia,
USA
| | - Christine M. Schubert
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio,
USA
| | - Randolph T. Barker
- School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth
University
| | - Danielle M. Dick
- Departments of Psychology, African American Studies, and Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth
University
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Hurley K, Oakes LM. Infants' Daily Experience With Pets and Their Scanning of Animal Faces. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:152. [PMID: 30042950 PMCID: PMC6048265 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Very little is known about the effect of pet experience on cognitive development in infancy. In Experiment 1, we document in a large sample (N = 1270) that 63% of families with infants under 12 months have at least one household pet. The potential effect on development is significant as the first postnatal year is a critically important time for changes in the brain and cognition. Because research has revealed how experience shapes early development, it is likely that the presence of a companion dog or cat in the home influences infants' development. In Experiment 2, we assess differences between infants who do and do not have pets (N = 171) in one aspect of cognitive development: their processing of animal faces. We examined visual exploration of images of dog, cat, monkey, and sheep faces by 4-, 6-, and 10-month-old infants. Although at the youngest ages infants with and without pets exhibited the same patterns of visual inspection of these animals faces, by 10 months infants with pets spent proportionately more time looking at the region of faces that contained the eyes than did infants without pets. Thus, exposure to pets contributes to how infants look at and learn about animal faces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karinna Hurley
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Human Development, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Lisa M. Oakes
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Lajunen K, Kalliola S, Kotaniemi-Syrjänen A, Sarna S, Malmberg LP, Pelkonen AS, Mäkelä MJ. Abnormal lung function at preschool age asthma in adolescence? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29522812 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma often begins early in childhood. However, the risk for persistence is challenging to evaluate. OBJECTIVE This longitudinal study relates lung function assessed with impulse oscillometry (IOS) in preschool children to asthma in adolescence. METHODS Lung function was measured with IOS in 255 children with asthma-like symptoms aged 4-7 years. Baseline measurements were followed by exercise challenge and bronchodilation tests. At age 12-16 years, 121 children participated in the follow-up visit, when lung function was assessed with spirometry, followed by a bronchodilation test. Asthma symptoms and medication were recorded by a questionnaire and atopy defined by skin prick tests. RESULTS Abnormal baseline values in preschool IOS were significantly associated with low lung function, the need for asthma medication, and asthma symptoms in adolescence. Preschool abnormal R5 at baseline (z-score ≥1.645 SD) showed 9.2 odds ratio (95%CI 2.7;31.7) for abnormal FEV1/FVC, use of asthma medication in adolescence, and 9.9 odds ratio (95%CI 2.9;34.4) for asthma symptoms. Positive exercise challenge and modified asthma-predictive index at preschool age predicted asthma symptoms and the need for asthma medication, but not abnormal lung function at teenage. CONCLUSION Abnormal preschool IOS is associated with asthma and poor lung function in adolescence and might be utilised for identification of asthma persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katariina Lajunen
- Department of Allergology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Satu Kalliola
- Pediatric Department, Lohja Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, Lohja, Finland
| | - Anne Kotaniemi-Syrjänen
- Department of Allergology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Sarna
- Department of Allergology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - L Pekka Malmberg
- Department of Allergology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna S Pelkonen
- Department of Allergology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika J Mäkelä
- Department of Allergology, Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Westgarth C, Boddy LM, Stratton G, German AJ, Gaskell RM, Coyne KP, Bundred P, McCune S, Dawson S. The association between dog ownership or dog walking and fitness or weight status in childhood. Pediatr Obes 2017; 12:e51-e56. [PMID: 27793067 PMCID: PMC5697616 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health benefits of dog walking are established in adults: dog owners are on average more physically active, and those walking their dogs regularly have lower weight status than those who do not. However, there has been little research on children. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the association between dog ownership or dog walking and childhood fitness or weight status. METHODS A survey of pet ownership and involvement in dog walking was combined with fitness and weight status measurements of 1021 9 to 10-year-old children in the Liverpool SportsLinx study. RESULTS We found little evidence to support that children who live with, or walk with, dogs are any fitter or less likely to be obese than those who do not. CONCLUSIONS This is an important finding, as it suggests that the activity that children currently do with dogs is not sufficient enough to impact weight status or fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - L. M. Boddy
- Physical Activity, Exercise and Health Research Group, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise SciencesLiverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpoolUK
| | - G. Stratton
- Sport and Health PortfolioCollege of Engineering Swansea UniversitySwanseaUK
| | - A. J. German
- School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - R. M. Gaskell
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - K. P. Coyne
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
| | - P. Bundred
- Institute of Psychology Health and Society, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolBrownlow HillUK
| | - S. McCune
- WALTHAM Centre for Pet NutritionLeicsUK
| | - S. Dawson
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK,School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of LiverpoolNestonUK
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Small Pilot Survey on Parents' Perception of the Relationship between Children and Pets. Vet Sci 2017; 4:vetsci4040052. [PMID: 29056710 PMCID: PMC5753632 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci4040052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since companion animals are taking on more important roles in family life, the aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of parents about the relationship between their children and pets. A number of parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire; the principal topics were: pet ownership, pet care, relationship between pets and children, and sources of information about pet management. Eighty-two parents completed the survey; 71.4% of them already had pets before having children; pet care and health has emerged to be rather important, since 96.4% of the pets are taken to the veterinarian at least once a year; moreover, the great majority of the parents (97.2%) were not worried about the possible risks, linked to pets, pertaining to their child's health. The present survey confirms that pets are mostly considered as members of the family, and not only as a benefit for the children. Moreover, the relationship between children and pets is basically seen as a positive experience for children.
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Solmi F, Hayes JF, Lewis G, Kirkbride JB. Curiosity killed the cat: no evidence of an association between cat ownership and psychotic symptoms at ages 13 and 18 years in a UK general population cohort. Psychol Med 2017; 47:1659-1667. [PMID: 28222824 PMCID: PMC5939988 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291717000125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital or early life infection with Toxoplasma gondii has been implicated in schizophrenia aetiology. Childhood cat ownership has been hypothesized as an intermediary marker of T. gondii infection and, by proxy, as a risk factor for later psychosis. Evidence supporting this hypothesis is, however, limited. METHOD We used birth cohort data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to investigate whether cat ownership in pregnancy and childhood (ages 4 and 10 years) was associated with psychotic experiences (PEs) in early (age 13, N = 6705) and late (age 18, N = 4676) adolescence, rated from semi-structured interviews. We used logistic regression to examine associations between cat ownership and PEs, adjusting for several sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, household characteristics and dog ownership. Missing data were handled via multiple imputation. RESULTS Cat ownership during pregnancy was not associated with PEs at age 13 years [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-1.35] or 18 years (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.86-1.35). Initial univariable evidence that cat ownership at ages 4 and 10 years was associated with PEs at age 13 years did not persist after multivariable adjustment (4 years: OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.94-1.48; 10 years: OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.92-1.36). There was no evidence that childhood cat ownership was associated with PEs at age 18 years. CONCLUSIONS While pregnant women should continue to avoid handling soiled cat litter, given possible T. gondii exposure, our study strongly indicates that cat ownership in pregnancy or early childhood does not confer an increased risk of later adolescent PEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Solmi
- Division of Psychiatry, University College
London, London, UK
| | - J. F. Hayes
- Division of Psychiatry, University College
London, London, UK
| | - G. Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College
London, London, UK
| | - J. B. Kirkbride
- Division of Psychiatry, University College
London, London, UK
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Cassels MT, White N, Gee N, Hughes C. One of the family? Measuring young adolescents' relationships with pets and siblings. JOURNAL OF APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017. [PMID: 28264460 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030234.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases which influence health and well-being across the life span. Social relationships are fundamental to child and adolescent development; yet studies have been limited to children's relationships with other humans. This paper provides an evidence review for the potential associations between pet ownership and emotional; behavioural; cognitive; educational and social developmental outcomes. As the field is in the early stages; a broad set of inclusion criteria was applied. A systematic search of databases and grey literature sources found twenty-two studies meeting selection criteria. The review found evidence for an association between pet ownership and a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership; particularly for self-esteem and loneliness. The findings regarding childhood anxiety and depression were inconclusive. Studies also showed evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits; for example, in perspective-taking abilities and intellectual development. Evidence on behavioural development was unclear due to a lack of high quality research. Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play behaviour. Overall, pet ownership and the significance of children's bonds with companion animals have been underexplored; there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in all outcomes. Prospective studies that control for a wide range of confounders are required.
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Purewal R, Christley R, Kordas K, Joinson C, Meints K, Gee N, Westgarth C. Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:E234. [PMID: 28264460 PMCID: PMC5369070 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases which influence health and well-being across the life span. Social relationships are fundamental to child and adolescent development; yet studies have been limited to children's relationships with other humans. This paper provides an evidence review for the potential associations between pet ownership and emotional; behavioural; cognitive; educational and social developmental outcomes. As the field is in the early stages; a broad set of inclusion criteria was applied. A systematic search of databases and grey literature sources found twenty-two studies meeting selection criteria. The review found evidence for an association between pet ownership and a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership; particularly for self-esteem and loneliness. The findings regarding childhood anxiety and depression were inconclusive. Studies also showed evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits; for example, in perspective-taking abilities and intellectual development. Evidence on behavioural development was unclear due to a lack of high quality research. Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play behaviour. Overall, pet ownership and the significance of children's bonds with companion animals have been underexplored; there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in all outcomes. Prospective studies that control for a wide range of confounders are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Purewal
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Robert Christley
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Katarzyna Kordas
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK.
| | - Carol Joinson
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK.
| | - Kerstin Meints
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK.
| | - Nancy Gee
- Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA.
- WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, UK.
| | - Carri Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK.
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Calvo P, Bowen J, Bulbena A, Tobeña A, Fatjó J. Highly Educated Men Establish Strong Emotional Links with Their Dogs: A Study with Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) in Committed Spanish Dog Owners. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168748. [PMID: 28033397 PMCID: PMC5199054 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The characteristics of the human-animal bond may be influenced by both owner-related and dog-related factors. A study was designed to explore the existence of different dog ownership patterns and their related factors. We created an on line questionnaire that included demographic questions about the dog and the owner, a Spanish version of the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) and a validated measure of satisfaction with life (Cantril’s ladder). We collected 1140 valid responses from adult dog owners, who were recruited using the client databases of Spanish veterinary practices. We explored the presence of groups within the population using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of the MDORS variables combined with Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). Two groups were found; Group I having a higher level of emotional involvement with their dogs compared with Group II. Binary logistic regression was used to explore demographic factors that influenced group membership. Four variables were significantly associated with membership of Group I (p<0.0001); male gender of the owner (OR = 32.36), high school level of maximum educational attainment (OR = 0.052), university level of maximum educational attainment (OR = 8.652), and owner Cantril’s score (OR = 0.807). The results obtained from this convenience sample demonstrate that different patterns of dog-ownership may be present within a population of owner-dog dyads, and that certain owner characteristics are associated with the type of owner-dog relationship. Future research could apply a similar approach to different types of sample population in order to identify specific patterns of dog-ownership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Calvo
- Chair Affinity Foundation Animals and Health, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonathan Bowen
- Chair Affinity Foundation Animals and Health, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain
- Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mimms, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Antoni Bulbena
- Chair Affinity Foundation Animals and Health, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- INAD (Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions), Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Adolf Tobeña
- Chair Affinity Foundation Animals and Health, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Jaume Fatjó
- Chair Affinity Foundation Animals and Health, Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Catalunya, Spain
- IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
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Abstract
Pet-keeping is highly variable across cultures in both frequency and form. Cultural group selection offers a plausible explanation for the development and spread of this uniquely human phenomenon in that pet-keeping involves an inheritance system, socially transmitted norms and preferences, substantial between-group variation, and (albeit indirectly) intergroup competition.
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42
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Gadomski AM, Scribani MB, Krupa N, Jenkins P, Nagykaldi Z, Olson AL. Pet Dogs and Children's Health: Opportunities for Chronic Disease Prevention? Prev Chronic Dis 2015; 12:E205. [PMID: 26605705 PMCID: PMC4674442 DOI: 10.5888/pcd12.150204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Positive associations between having a pet dog and adult health outcomes have been documented; however, little evidence exists regarding the benefits of pet dogs for young children. This study investigates the hypothesis that pet dogs are positively associated with healthy weight and mental health among children. Methods This cross-sectional study accrued a consecutive sample of children over 18 months in a pediatric primary care setting. The study enrolled 643 children (mean age, 6.7 years); 96% were white, 45% were female, 56% were privately insured, and 58% had pet dogs in the home. Before an annual visit, parents of children aged 4 to 10 years completed the DartScreen, a comprehensive Web-based health risk screener administered using an electronic tablet. The screener domains were child body mass index (BMI), physical activity, screen time, mental health, and pet-related questions. Results Children with and children without pet dogs did not differ in BMI (P = .80), screen time of 2 hours or less (P = 0.99), or physical activity (P = .07). A lower percentage of children with dogs (12%) met the clinical cut-off value of Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Disorders (SCARED-5) of 3 or more, compared with children without dogs (21%, P = .002). The mean SCARED-5 score was lower among children with dogs (1.13) compared with children without dogs (1.40; P = .01). This relationship was retained in multivariate analysis after controlling for several covariates. Conclusions Having a pet dog in the home was associated with a decreased probability of childhood anxiety. Future studies need to establish whether this relationship is causal and, if so, how pet dogs alleviate childhood anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Gadomski
- Research Institute, Bassett Medical Center, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326
| | | | - Nicole Krupa
- Research Institute, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, New York
| | - Paul Jenkins
- Research Institute, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, New York
| | - Zsolt Nagykaldi
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Murray JK, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Roberts MA, Browne WJ. Assessing changes in the UK pet cat and dog populations: numbers and household ownership. Vet Rec 2015; 177:259. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.103223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. K. Murray
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol; Langford House Langford Bristol BS40 5DU UK
| | - T. J. Gruffydd-Jones
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol; Langford House Langford Bristol BS40 5DU UK
| | - M. A. Roberts
- Cats Protection; National Cat Centre; Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath Sussex RH17 7TT UK
| | - W. J. Browne
- Centre for Multilevel Modelling, University of Bristol; Bristol BS8 1TX UK
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Pet ownership and brief human-animal interactions can serve as a form of social support and convey a host of beneficial psychological and physiological health benefits. This article critically examines recent relevant literature on the pet-health connection. RECENT FINDINGS Cross-sectional studies indicate correlations between pet ownership and numerous aspects of positive health outcomes, including improvements on cardiovascular measures and decreases in loneliness. Quasi-experimental studies and better controlled experimental studies corroborate these associations and suggest that owning and/or interacting with a pet may be causally related to some positive health outcomes. SUMMARY The value of pet ownership and animal-assisted therapy (AAT), as a nonpharmacological treatment modality, augmentation to traditional treatment, and healthy preventive behavior (in the case of pet ownership), is starting to be realized. However, more investigations that employ randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and investigations that more closely examine the underlying mechanism of the pet-health effect, such as oxytocin, are needed.
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Lakestani N, Donaldson ML. Dog Bite Prevention: Effect of a Short Educational Intervention for Preschool Children. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134319. [PMID: 26287686 PMCID: PMC4542266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate whether preschool children can learn how to interpret dogs’ behaviours, with the purpose of helping avoid dog bites. Three- to five-year-old children (N = 70) were tested on their ability to answer questions about dogs’ emotional states before and after participating in either an educational intervention about dog behaviour (intervention group) or an activity about wild animals (control group). Children who had received training about dog behaviour (intervention group) were significantly better at judging the dogs’ emotional states after the intervention compared to before. The frequency with which they referred to relevant behaviours in justifying their judgements also increased significantly. In contrast, the control group’s performance did not differ significantly between the two testing times. These results indicate that preschool children can be taught how to correctly interpret dogs’ behaviours. This implies that incorporating such training into prevention programmes may contribute to reducing dog bite incidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Lakestani
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail:
| | - Morag L. Donaldson
- School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Collin SM, Granell R, Westgarth C, Murray J, Paul ES, Sterne JAC, Henderson AJ. Associations of Pet Ownership with Wheezing and Lung Function in Childhood: Findings from a UK Birth Cohort. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127756. [PMID: 26061067 PMCID: PMC4465326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Asthma is a heterogeneous condition and differential effects of pet ownership on non-atopic versus atopic asthma have been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pet ownership during pregnancy and early childhood was associated with wheezing from birth to age 7 years and with lung function at age 8 years in a UK population-based birth cohort. Methods Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used to investigate associations of pet ownership at six time-points from pregnancy to age 7 years with concurrent episodes of wheezing, wheezing trajectories (phenotypes) and lung function at age 8 years using logistic regression models adjusted for child’s sex, maternal history of asthma/atopy, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and family adversity. Results 4,706 children had complete data on pet ownership and wheezing. From birth to age 7 years, cat ownership was associated with an overall 6% lower odds of wheezing (OR=0.94 (0.89-0.99)). Rabbit and rodent ownership was associated with 21% (OR=1.21 (1.12-1.31)) and 11% (OR=1.11 (1.02–1.21)) higher odds of wheezing, respectively, with strongest effects evident during infancy. Rabbit and rodent ownership was positively associated with a ‘persistent wheeze’ phenotype. Pet ownership was not associated with lung function at age 8 years, with the exception of positive associations of rodent and bird ownership with better lung function. Conclusions Cat ownership was associated with reduced risk, and rabbit and rodent ownership with increased risk, of wheezing during childhood. The mechanisms behind these differential effects warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon M. Collin
- Centre for Child & Adolescent Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Raquel Granell
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Carri Westgarth
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Murray
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth S. Paul
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan A. C. Sterne
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - A. John Henderson
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Domingues LR, Cesar JA, Fassa AG, Domingues MR. [Responsible pet animal guardianship in the urban area of the municipality of Pelotas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil]. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2015; 20:185-92. [PMID: 25650612 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232014201.19632013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The study sought to estimate the presence of cats and dogs in households in the urban area of the city and assess responsible guardianship and associated factors. A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted using the multi-stage sampling process and the census sectors of the demographic census of the year 2010 carried out by IBGE were used as conglomerates. The unit under study was the household. The outcome was responsible guardianship, defined by a score that took into account the following variables: sterilization, anti-rabies vaccination, veterinary medical consultation, control of endoparasites, access of animals to public areas, control of ectoparasites and the collection of feces of animals in public areas. Of the 1,558 households investigated, 58.9% had pets (cat or dog). The study reveals that the score of responsible guardianship increases with the education level of the head of the household and is highest among apartment dwellers. The majority of the households investigated met only half of the criteria. The results of this study point to the need for public policies that instruct the population on responsible guardianship, and that offer immunizations and sterilization services for animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juraci Almeida Cesar
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil,
| | - Anaclaudia Gastal Fassa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil,
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Collin S, Granell R, Westgarth C, Murray J, Paul E, Sterne J, Henderson AJ. Pet ownership is associated with increased risk of non-atopic asthma and reduced risk of atopy in childhood: findings from a UK birth cohort. Clin Exp Allergy 2015; 45:200-10. [PMID: 25077415 PMCID: PMC4280336 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown an inverse association of pet ownership with allergy but inconclusive findings for asthma. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether pet ownership during pregnancy and childhood was associated with asthma and atopy at the age of 7 in a UK population-based birth cohort. METHODS Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used to investigate associations of pet ownership at six time points from pregnancy to the age of 7 with asthma, atopy (grass, house dust mite, and cat skin prick test) and atopic vs. non-atopic asthma at the age of 7 using logistic regression models adjusted for child's sex, maternal history of asthma/atopy, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and family adversity. RESULTS A total of 3768 children had complete data on pet ownership, asthma, and atopy. Compared with non-ownership, continuous ownership of any pet (before and after the age of 3) was associated with 52% lower odds of atopic asthma [odds ratio (OR) 0.48, 95% CI 0.34-0.68]. Pet ownership tended to be associated with increased risk of non-atopic asthma, particularly rabbits (OR 1.61, 1.04-2.51) and rodents (OR 1.86, 1.15-3.01), comparing continuous vs. non-ownership. Pet ownership was consistently associated with lower odds of sensitization to grass, house dust mite, and cat allergens, but rodent ownership was associated with higher odds of sensitization to rodent allergen. Differential effects of pet ownership on atopic vs. non-atopic asthma were evident for all pet types. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Pet ownership during pregnancy and childhood in this birth cohort was consistently associated with a reduced risk of aeroallergen sensitization and atopic asthma at the age of 7, but tended to be associated (particularly for rabbits and rodents) with an increased risk of non-atopic asthma. The opposing effects on atopy vs. non-atopic asthma might be considered by parents when they are deciding whether to acquire a pet.
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Affiliation(s)
- S.M. Collin
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - R Granell
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - C Westgarth
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - J Murray
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK
| | - E Paul
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, UK
| | - J.A.C. Sterne
- School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
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Stull JW, Brophy J, Sargeant JM, Peregrine AS, Lawson ML, Ramphal R, Samson L, Bowes J, Weese JS. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to pet contact by immunocompromised children with cancer and immunocompetent children with diabetes. J Pediatr 2014; 165:348-355.e2. [PMID: 24928703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare knowledge, attitudes, and risks related to pet contact in households with and without immunocompromised children. STUDY DESIGN A questionnaire was distributed to parents of children diagnosed with cancer (immunocompromised; n=80) or diabetes (immunocompetent; n=251) receiving care at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Information was collected on knowledge of pets as sources of disease, concerns regarding pet-derived pathogens, and pet ownership practices. Data were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 65% (214 of 331) of the individuals to whom it was given. Pet ownership was common; 45% of respondents had a household pet when their child was diagnosed, and many (households with a child with diabetes, 49%; households with a child with cancer, 20%) acquired a new pet after diagnosis. Most households that obtained a new pet had acquired a pet considered high risk for infectious disease based on species/age (diabetes, 73%; cancer, 77%). Parents of children with cancer were more likely than parents of children with diabetes to recall being asked by a physician/staff member if they owned a pet (OR, 5.9) or to recall receiving zoonotic disease information (OR, 5.3), yet these interactions were reported uncommonly (diabetes, ≤13%; cancer, ≤48%). Greater knowledge of pet-associated pathogens was associated with recalled receipt of previous education on this topic (OR, 3.9). Pet exposure outside the home was reported frequently for children in non-pet-owning households (diabetes, 48%; cancer, 25%). CONCLUSION Improved zoonotic disease education is needed for pet-owning and non-pet-owning households with immunocompromised children, with ongoing provision of information while the children are at increased risk of disease. Additional efforts from pediatric and veterinary healthcare professionals are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason W Stull
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Center for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Jason Brophy
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jan M Sargeant
- Center for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew S Peregrine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Center for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Raveena Ramphal
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lindy Samson
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Bowes
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Scott Weese
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Center for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Pet dog ownership decisions for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. J Pediatr Nurs 2014; 29:114-23. [PMID: 24183985 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the role of pet dogs in families of children with autism. Sixty-seven percent of families owned dogs and 94% reported that their children were bonded to their dogs. Parents described previous experience with dogs and beliefs in their benefits as influential in their dog ownership decision-making process. Children living with dogs interacted with them in play and/or sharing personal space. Sensory issues of the children impacted their interaction with dogs inside and outside the home. Time and cost of care were identified burdens of dog ownership. Benefits were the opportunity to learn responsibility and companionship.
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