Companion dog acquisition and mental well-being: a community-based three-arm controlled study

Abstract

BackgroundDog ownership is suggested to improve mental well-being, although empirical evidence among community dog owners is limited. This study examined changes in human mental well-being following dog acquisition, including four measures: loneliness, positive and negative affect, and psychological distress.MethodsWe conducted an eight-month controlled study involving three groups (n = 71): 17 acquired a dog within 1 month of baseline (dog acquisition); 29 delayed dog acquisition until study completion (lagged control); and 25 had no intentions of acquiring a dog (community control). All participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (possible scores 0–60), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Kessler10 at baseline, three-months and eight-months. We used repeated measures ANCOVAs to analyse data with owner age and sex included as covariates. Post-hoc tests were performed for significant effects (p < 0.05).ResultsThere was a statistically significant group by time interaction for loneliness (p = 0.03), with an estimated reduction of 8.41 units (95% CI -16.57, − 0.26) from baseline to three-months and 7.12 (95% CI -12.55, − 1.69) from baseline to eight-months in the dog acquisition group. The group by time interaction for positive affect was also significant (p = 0.03), although there was no change in the dog acquisition group.ConclusionsCompanion dog acquisition may reduce loneliness among community dog owners. Our study provides useful direction for future larger trials on the effects of dog ownership on human mental well-being.Trial registrationThis trial was retrospectively registered on 5th July 2017 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12617000967381).

Puppy love in the time of Corona: Dog ownership protects against loneliness for those living alone during the COVID-19 lockdown

“…Furthermore, qualitative insights from a Must Love Dogs intervention programme for older Australians living alone suggest that interactions with dogs can increase positive affect in a group setting (Papotto & Oliva, 2019). However, Powell et al (2019) found that when the level of education was adjusted for in their analyses, the effects of dog acquisition on loneliness were nullified, and a systematic review by Gilbey and Tani (2015) has cast doubt on the convincingness of the extant quantitative evidence that companion animals alleviate loneliness, expressing a need for more research to be conducted under 'controlled' conditions with a consideration for the time participants actually spend with their animal. One such study, a randomised controlled trial comparing a mindfulness intervention group, a dog interaction group and a control group, was able to demonstrate that similar reductions in state anxiety and depression levels could be gained from both the mindfulness intervention and dog interaction groups, as compared to the control group (Shearer et al, 2016).…”

The Relationship between Dog Ownership, Psychopathological Symptoms and Health-Benefitting Factors in Occupations at Risk for Traumatization

“…In our cross-sectional study, we did not assess when or for what reason the pet was acquired or how attachment to pet changed in the course of symptom development and thus, we are not able to test this hypothesis. However, studies looking at the potential benefits of recent dog adoption (in contrast to dog ownership) [70] showed that dog adoption was quite consistently associated with positive psychological outcomes such as reduced loneliness in healthy adults as well as patients with PTSD [25] and Major Depressive Disorder [26]. Nevertheless, more differentiated prospective studies are needed to investigate whether a stronger attachment to pets develops due to a higher psychopathological symptom burden or whether a stronger attachment to pets constitutes a risk factor for the development of psychopathology.…”

Human–dog relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic: booming dog adoption during social isolation

“…Interestingly, the mental health benefits of owning a companion animal, such as a dog or a cat, have been shown by several scientific studies (Serpell, 1991;Beetz et al, 2012;Powell et al, 2019). The majority of studies indicate that interactions with animals may help with depression, anxiety, and stress, in particular under stress-prone conditions (Beetz et al, 2012).…”

“…The majority of studies indicate that interactions with animals may help with depression, anxiety, and stress, in particular under stress-prone conditions (Beetz et al, 2012). On the one hand, companion animals provide companionship, improve mood, and may ease loneliness; human-animal interactions may even improve peer-to-peer social relationships, as well as enhance feelings of respect, trust, and empathy between people (Powell et al, 2018;Beetz et al, 2012;Powell et al, 2019). On the other hand, it has also been shown that stress and poor well-being of owners negatively affect the stress and well-being of their companion animals (Buttner et al, 2015;Sumegi et al, 2014;Ryan et al, 2019).…”