Companion Animals and Adolescent Stress and Adaptive Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dog Ownership and Cardiovascular Health: Results From the Kardiovize 2030 Project.

PO497 Dog Ownership And Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study

The purpose of this study is to: (1) identify characteristics associated with dog owners who walk their dog, (2) describe the frequency and duration of walking the dog, and (3) determine whether dog owners who walk their dog participate in more physical activity than dog owners who do not walk their dog and non-dog owners. A cross-sectional study design was used. The study setting was nationwide. Adults (n = 4010) participating in the 2005 ConsumerStyles mail-panel survey were the study subjects. Measures used were demographic, physical activity, dog ownership, and dog walking questions from the 2005 ConsumerStyles mail-panel survey. Chi-square tests and analyses of variance were conducted to examine participant characteristics associated with dog walking and to describe the frequency and duration of dog walking. Analysis of covariance was used to determine whether dog owners who walk their dog participate in more physical activity than dog owners who do not walk their dog and non-dog owners. Among dog owners, 42% reported some dog walking in a typical week. Dog owners walked their dog an average 4.3 ± 0.1 times and 128.8 ± 5.6 minutes per week. There were no significant differences in weekly minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity across the dog-ownership and dog walking groups. Most dog owners did not walk their dog. Dog owners were not more active than non-dog owners, except when considering the activity obtained via dog walking.

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.

Relationships between dog ownership and physical activity in postmenopausal women

BackgroundLegislation pertaining to canine ownership in Ireland maintains a one-health perspective by establishing a minimum standard of care for dogs while safeguarding human health and wellbeing. However, public awareness of this legislation has not been measured. The goals of this study were first, to estimate and compare the level of awareness, among dog owners and non-dog owners, that eight responsibilities of dog owners are prescribed by law in Ireland. Second, to determine if gender modifies differences in awareness between owners and non-owners, and third to determine whether gender itself is independently associated with awareness of the legal specification of these dog ownership responsibilities.ResultsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 679 University College Dublin employees. Exposure information included participants’ dog ownership status, gender, age, and education level. Among dog owners and non-dog owners, we estimated and compared the prevalences of persons with self-reported awareness that each of eight dog ownership responsibilities are prescribed by law in Ireland: Dog fouling in a public place, the leashing and muzzling of certain breeds, holding a dog license, straying of dogs, safeguarding health and welfare of dogs, dog abandonment, prohibition on tail docking of puppies and the mandatory wearing of identification. The prevalence of awareness was low among both dog owners and non-dog owners with substantial awareness (≥ 80%) of only three responsibilities: Those pertaining to fouling, licensing and muzzling and leashing. Awareness that more than one responsibility was specified by law was also poor with only 17.9% (95% CI: 15.1–20.9%) of participants aware of all eight and dog owners essentially just as likely (54%; 95% CI: 49–58%) to be aware of more than one as non-dog owners. For most dog ownership responsibilities, differences in prevalence (PD) of awareness between owners and non-owners and females and males were trivial (PD < 10%). Similarly for most responsibilities, gender did not modify awareness PDs between owners and non-owners.ConclusionsIn this well-educated university community, self-reported awareness that these eight responsibilities of dog owners are prescribed by law in Ireland is poor with essentially no difference between dog owners and non-dog owners or males and females. Awareness was higher for those responsibilities which, when not discharged, result in direct negative consequences to humans compared to those that result in direct negative consequences to dogs. It is likely that awareness of the legal status of these eight responsibilities of dog owners among the general public in Ireland is even less than observed in this study.

Aim This study aims to evaluate the impact of pet dog or cat ownership on medical students’ stress response and academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This is a prospective case-control study. A validated questionnaire, COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire (CSSQ), was distributed to all final year medical students studying at University of Hong Kong in July 2021. Stress responses and academic performance between pet and non-pet owners were compared. Results A total of 110 medical students participated in the study, with non-pet owners accounting for 81 students (control group), and 29 students being pet-owners (case group). The baseline demographic characteristics were comparable between both groups. Non-pet owners demonstrated higher levels of stress compared to pet-owners, with 49.4% perceiving academic study experiencing being “very” or “extremely” stressful compared to 24.1% seen in pet owners (p = 0.0278). 13 (11.8%) students failed in the final examination in the medical school requiring supplementary examination. Of which, 1 (7.7%) were pet-owner while 12 (92.3%) were non-pet owner. However, statistically significant correlation cannot be demonstrated (p = 0.1778). Conclusions Pet ownership is associated with reduced stress levels among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic.

To examine dog walking among dog owners and the relationship between walking behavior of dog owners and non-dog owners and maintained gait speed over 3 years. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of a prospective cohort study. Memphis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Two thousand five hundred thirty-three community-dwelling adults aged 71 to 82 at 36 months of the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Dog ownership, reported walking behavior, change in walking behavior, and usual and rapid gait speed over 3 years. Of 394 dog owners, only 36% walked their dogs at least three times per week. Cross-sectionally, dog walkers were more likely to achieve 150 minutes of walking per week and had faster usual and rapid walking speeds (1.20 vs 1.14 m/s and 1.62 vs 1.52 m/s, respectively; P < .01 for both) than non-dog owners who did not walk at least three times per week and similar speeds as non-dog owners who walked at least 150 minutes per week (P > .50). Three years later, subjects who had been dog walkers at baseline were approximately twice as likely as any other group to achieve recommended walking levels, independent of covariates. Dog walkers experienced similar declines in usual and rapid walking speed as non-dog owners who walked at least three times per week but maintained their initial mobility advantage. Although dog ownership appears to facilitate walking behavior, only a minority of older dog owners walk their dogs. The mobility advantage of dog ownership was seen only in dog walkers and was similar to that associated with any walking. Given suboptimal walking activity in older adults, examining the degree to which dog ownership promotes walking activity in persons who do little walking on their own appears worth pursuing.

Introduction: Dog ownership and dog walking have been associated with increased physical activity in the general population. Although evidence suggests an association between pet ownership and increased survival in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), little is known about how dog ownership and dog walking may be associated with exercise habits in CHD patients. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to examine dog ownership and dog walking and their relationship with frequency of home- and hospital-based CR exercise in patients with CHD. It was hypothesized that CHD patients who walk their dogs would report more frequent home- and hospital-based CR exercise. Methods: The study was based on Self-Determination Theory. A prospective observational design was used. A total of 122 patients with CHD completed a dog ownership and walking survey during their hospitalization and were asked to complete the Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Participation Tool by mail at 3, 8 and 12 months later. Patients self-selected whether they walked or biked in a home- or hospital-based Phase II CR exercise setting and self-reported number of days per week of exercise in each setting. Results: The sample was predominantly male (n=82; 67.2%) with a mean age of 64.7±9.1 years. Forty-two patients (34.4%) reported owning a dog. There were no differences in participation in home or Phase II CR exercise in dog owners versus non-dog owners (home CR: 57.1% vs. 62.5%, p=0.57 and Phase II CR: 31.0% vs. 32.5%, p=0.86). Among dog owners, 23 (54.8%) reported walking their dog at least 1 day/week. There were no significant differences in Phase II CR exercise among non-dog owners, dog owners who did not dog walk, and those who walked their dogs at least 1 day/week (owners/walkers: 34.8%, owners/non-walkers: 26.3%, non-owners: 32.5%; p=0.83). However, patients who owned but did not walk their dog reported significantly lower levels of home exercise compared to patients who owned and walked their dogs at least 1 day/week (owners/non-walkers: 36.8% vs. owners/walkers: 73.9%, p=0.019) and compared to non-dog owners (owners/non-walkers: 36.8% vs. non-owners: 62.5%; p=0.047). Conclusions: Results suggest that dog ownership is not equivalent to dog walking when examining exercise frequency in CHD patients. Dog owners were no more likely to exercise than non-dog owners. However, findings show a beneficial effect on home-based exercise for CHD patients who walk their dogs at least one day a week. Healthcare professionals should encourage CHD patients who are dog owners to walk their dogs as a strategy to increase home-based exercise.

Simple SummaryLong-term aging survivors of human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) were surveyed. Some did or did not have companion dogs or cats while experiencing both the AIDS and COVID-19 (COVID) pandemics. While antiretroviral treatments have reduced AIDS fatalities, survivors still suffer challenges with disabilities and finances. The surveyed 147 HIV/AIDS survivors reported experiencing more frequent stigma, aloneness, and sadness/grief during the AIDS pandemic than during COVID. During AIDS, sadness was greater among those with cats than those without cats. During COVID, older respondents unexpectedly were sad less often than younger ones; dog owners less often felt alone and isolated than those without dogs. Support during AIDS retrospectively was better for older respondents, and better for young gays than young straight ones. During COVID, support was better for men than women. Men with dogs felt more supported than those without; women with pets felt least supported. Compared to dog owners, cat owners more often felt isolated and less often felt supported. Few dog or cat owners received support from family members in either pandemic; but during the AIDS pandemic, dog owners had family support more than cat owners.Long-term HIV/AIDS survivors responded online concerning their experiences during the AIDS and COVID pandemics. Recruited from web-based organizations for AIDS survivors, 147 answered questions on: frequency of experiencing stigma, isolation, aloneness, or grief/sadness; pet ownership; and sources of human support during each pandemic. Conditional inference trees were run to identify relevant demographic factors. Post-hoc comparisons were conducted to compare dog owners and cat owners. AIDS survivors reported more frequent feelings of stigma, aloneness, and sadness/grief during the AIDS pandemic than during COVID. Cat owners’ sadness/grief during AIDS was greater than non-owners. During COVID, older respondents unexpectedly were less often sad/grieving than younger ones; dog owners less often felt alone and isolated than non-dog owners. Support during the AIDS pandemic retrospectively was rated better for older respondents; young gays’ support was greater than young straights. During COVID, support was better for men than women. Contrastingly, women with pets felt less support than those without; men with dogs felt more support than those without. Cat owners more often felt isolated and unsupported during COVID than dog owners. Few dog or cat owners received support from family members in either pandemic; during AIDS, family support was better for owners of dogs than cats.

Dog walking is a strategy for increasing population levels of physical activity (PA). Numerous cross-sectional studies of the relationship between dog ownership and PA have been conducted. The purpose was to review studies comparing PA of dog owners (DO) to nondog owners (NDO), summarize the prevalence of dog walking, and provide recommendations for research. A review of published studies (1990-2010) examining DO and NDO PA and the prevalence of dog walking was conducted (N = 29). Studies estimating the relationship between dog ownership and PA were grouped to create a point- estimate using meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted in the last 5 years, were cross-sectional, and sampled adults from Australia or the United States. Approximately 60% of DO walked their dog, with a median duration and frequency of 160 minutes/week and 4 walks/week, respectively. Meta-analysis showed DO engage in more walking and PA than NDO and the effect sizes are small to moderate (d = 0.26 and d = 0.16, respectively). Three studies provided evidence of a directional relationship between dog ownership and walking. Longitudinal and interventional studies would provide stronger causal evidence for the relationship between dog ownership and PA. Improved knowledge of factors associated with dog walking will guide intervention research.

This study investigated whether new dog ownership without past ownership leads to increased physical activity and social contact compared to non-dog ownership. We analyzed data from 1,210 participants: 81 new dog owners who have never owned a dog before and started ownership within the past year, 614 non-dog owners with a past ownership history, and 515 non-dog owners without a past ownership history. New dog owners reported significant positive changes in walking activity compared with non-dog owners without a past ownership history (coefficient=-4.83, SE = 2.44, P value = 0.048). New dog owners perceived significant positive changes in the frequency of non-face-to-face contact with friends and neighbors as compared with non-dog owners with (Coefficient=-0.31, SE = 0.14, P value = 0.022) and without a past ownership history (Coefficient=-0.33, SE = 0.14, P value = 0.018). This study of new dog owners will help elucidate the mechanisms through which increased physical activity and social contact may contribute to a positive association between dog ownership and health outcomes.

ABSTRACTHomebound older adults are prone to depression, which is linked to systemic inflammation that promotes executive function decline. A companion animal may reduce the negative biobehavioral processes asso- ciated with depression, inflammation, and reduced executive function in homebound older adults. The primary aim of this study was to examine dif- ferences between homebound older adult pet owners and non-pet owners in depression, salivary C-reactive protein (CRP), and executive function. The secondary aim was to determine if the level of attachment to pets was as- sociated with depression, salivary CRP, and executive function. The study was cross-sectional and investigated homebound older adult pet owners and non-pet owners (n = 88) using psychometrically reliable and valid instru- ments (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form and CLOX 1). Salivary CRP was assessed with immunoassay. Level of attachment to pets was measured using a Likert scale (0–10). Mean age for the total sample was 75 years (SD = 9). Forty-eight (55%) participants owned pets (56% dogs, 25% cats, 4% other pets, 15% both cats and dogs). Pet owners reported a high level of attachment to pets (Median = 10). Pet owners had significantly higher ex- ecutive function than non-pet owners (t = –2.07; p = 0.04) but there were no significant differences in executive function between cat owners and dog owners (t = 1.53; p = 0.14). Pet owners and non-pet owners were similar in depression (t = –1.80, p = 0.08) and salivary CRP levels (t = 0.27, p = 0.79). Level of attachment to pets was significantly and positively correlated with executive function (r = 0.30; p = 0.04) but was not significantly correlated with depression (r = 0.04, p = 0.77) or salivary CRP (r = –0.04, p = 0.80). Compared with non-pet owners, pet owners had better executive function but similar depression and salivary CRP levels. Reasons for these findings are unclear. Significant positive correlation be- tween pet attachment and executive function suggests further investigation in this area. Future studies with larger samples and a longitudinal design are needed to investigate the biobehavioral changes over time in relation to pet ownership, level of attachment to pets, and executive func- tion in homebound older adults.

Simple SummaryEven before the emergence of COVID-19, animal companionship was gaining popularity in Korea as a strategy to reduce loneliness and isolation caused by a rapidly aging population and an increase in one-person households. Many dog owners have experienced the emotional and physical benefits that dog ownership provides during the COVID-19 period. This study examined the relationship between dog attachment, dog walking and loneliness during times of widespread isolation. An online, cross-sectional survey for dog owners was conducted in the fall of 2020. Voluntary participants responded to questionnaires about their relationship with dogs, dog attachment, and dog walking during COVID-19. Our study suggests that dog walking has no direct effect on reducing loneliness but the relationship between dog walking and loneliness might be mediated by attachment. Due to the strict social distancing guidelines during the pandemic, dog walking would not allow opportunities for conversation with other people, but it seems that spending time outside with dogs strengthens the bonds between humans and companion dogs, alleviating loneliness.The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s lives and increased their vulnerability to physical and mental health hazards. While Korea has avoided nationwide lockdown measures since the COVID-19 outbreak, the prolonged restrictions and social isolation measures have resulted in detrimental psychological effects, such as increased anxiety, boredom, and loneliness. The present study investigated dog attachment and changes in dog walking during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of dog attachment and dog walking on the loneliness of Korean dog owners. An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted in the fall of 2021 in which 249 dog owners responded to questionnaires that asked questions about dog attachment, their perception of dog walking, and their feelings of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most dog owners responded that they spent more time with their dogs and developed a stronger bond with them during the pandemic. Additionally, respondents stated that they walked their dogs more often than they did before COVID-19 and that their dogs aided in reducing loneliness. We found that dog walking directly affected attachment and indirectly influenced the loneliness of dog owners. Further research is required to determine how dog walking impacts positive psychological effects and promote dog walking.

This study was conducted to determine whether there is a significant mean difference of perceived stress between dog owners and non-dog owners and whether there are significant correlations between different sources of perceived social supports and perceived stress. Participants were 116 undergraduate students in a Malaysian private university college. Among 116 participants, 44 were dog owners. Participants completed 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The results indicated that there was a significant mean difference of perceived stress between dog owners (N = 44, M = 19.57) and non-dog owners (N = 72, M = 21.67). Among non-dog owners, a significant negative correlation was found between perceived social support from friends and perceived stress. However, among non-dog owners, no significant correlations were found between perceived stress and perceived social support from family, friends, significant others and dogs. Further research using a bigger sample size is needed to verify the relationship between perceived stress and perceived social support among dog owners.