Abstract
Simple SummaryThis study assessed the relationship between pet ownership, pet attachment, loneliness, and coping with stress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to our hypotheses, results did not support the presence of a buffering effect of pet ownership on loneliness, with pet ownership predicting increases in loneliness from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic. Dog owners showed lower levels of loneliness prior to the pandemic as well as higher levels of attachment, suggesting possible species-level differences in these relationships. Pet owners also reported spending time with their pet as a highly used strategy for coping with stress, suggesting that future research should explore the role of pets in coping with stress and social isolation during the pandemic. These results indicate that the relationship between pet ownership and adolescent loneliness during the pandemic is complex and warrants further research.The pandemic associated with the emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is an unprecedented historical event with the potential to significantly impact adolescent loneliness. This study aimed to explore the role of companion animals and attachment to pets in the context of the pandemic. We used longitudinal quantitative survey data collected prior to and during the pandemic to assess the role of pets in predicting adolescent loneliness. Pet ownership was not a significant predictor of loneliness before the pandemic, but did predict higher levels of loneliness during COVID-19 as well as higher increases in loneliness from before to during the pandemic. Dog ownership predicted lower levels of loneliness prior to, but not during the pandemic, and dog owners were significantly more attached to their pets than non-dog pet owners. Adolescents with pets reported spending more time with their pets during the pandemic, and frequently reported pet interactions as a strategy for coping with stress. Overall, the results from this study did not support the presence of a buffering effect of companion animals on loneliness for adolescents and indicate complexity in the relationships between pet ownership, attachment, loneliness, and coping with stress. These results suggest a need for additional research further assessing how features of the relationship such as species and relationship quality might contribute to adolescent mental health outcomes.
Highlights
The global pandemic associated with the emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID19) is an unprecedented historical event with potential effects on human mental health.Initial research on the COVID-19 pandemic has suggested that there are perceived impacts on quality of life, health, and emotional well-being for both adults and children [1,2,3].While the psychological consequences of COVID-19 are relevant across the lifespan, there is significant risk to child and adolescent mental health in particular [2]
This study aimed to contribute to the emerging research on companion animals and mental health during the pandemic by assessing the relationships between pet ownership, pet attachment, loneliness, and stress coping for adolescents both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
The findings do indicate complexity in the relationships between pet ownership, attachment, loneliness, and coping with stress, and suggest that there may be species differences between dog owners and non-dog pet owners in these relationships. These results suggest a need for additional research exploring these complexities in more detail, further assessing how features of the relationship such as species and relationship quality might contribute to adolescent loneliness and stress coping strategies
Summary
The global pandemic associated with the emergence of the novel coronavirus (COVID19) is an unprecedented historical event with potential effects on human mental health.Initial research on the COVID-19 pandemic has suggested that there are perceived impacts on quality of life, health, and emotional well-being for both adults and children [1,2,3].While the psychological consequences of COVID-19 are relevant across the lifespan, there is significant risk to child and adolescent mental health in particular [2]. As more research emerges assessing human-pet relationships during the pandemic, there is a need for examining these relationships in the context of adolescent loneliness and stress. Youth are uniquely impacted by COVID-19-related lockdowns due to the disruptions caused by school closures, which includes lack of access to mental health support and peer interactions [5]. Adolescence is a developmental period marked by significant social development, and peer relationships are a critical component of how youth access social support [6]. Loneliness and associated stressors are a significant concern for adolescents during lockdowns and community closures due to limits on social engagement. Lack of access to peers may put youth at risk for poor mental health outcomes in an already stressful time [8]
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