Family Bonds Research Articles

Factors associated with behavioral euthanasia in pet dogs.

When pet dogs demonstrate certain serious problem behaviors, this may lead owners to choose behavioral euthanasia. However, research on behavioral euthanasia of pet dogs is sparse and previously published papers have not specifically sampled owners who made the decision to euthanize for behavior. The Behavioral Euthanasia in Pet Dogs Questionnaire was created to collect a wide range of information from dog owners who made behavioral euthanasia decisions. Using this survey, we explored the types of behaviors associated with behavioral euthanasia. Human-directed aggression, especially toward adults living in the household, was the most frequently reported reason for choosing behavioral euthanasia; followed by aggression toward other animals, especially other dogs living in the same household. The majority of dogs displaying human-directed or other animal-directed aggression were reported to have bitten and broken skin, and many of these had bitten in multiple or severe incidents. Most dogs had lived in their homes and displayed problem behaviors for over a year prior to behavioral euthanasia, and the euthanasia occurred at a variety of ages, from less than 1 year old to 18 years old. Additional research is required to understand environmental or nonbehavioral factors contributing to the behavioral euthanasia of companion animals, as well as the psychosocial and emotional impact of behavioral euthanasia on the human experience. Understanding the behavioral factors associated with behavioral euthanasia can direct resources toward problem behavior interventions, improve public education about animal behavior, and strengthen the human-animal bond.

Producer perceptions of dairy calf management, behavior, and welfare

Approaches for raising calves vary across commercial dairy farms and relate to behavioral opportunities and animal welfare. The objectives of this study were to evaluate how US dairy producers and calf managers perceive 1) welfare implications of varying management practices (including social housing and milk allowance) and behaviors in dairy calves, and 2) aspects of the human-animal relationship in calf rearing and relationships with on-farm management and personal calf handling habits. Survey questions were primarily quantitative (e.g., Likert scales) and addressed how common calf management practices and observed calf behaviors were related to aspects of welfare, including calf health and comfort. We additionally posed questions addressing respondent habits, management protocols, and perceptions related to human-animal interaction. Responses from 93 dairy producers and calf managers were collected via digital surveys. Social housing was viewed as being generally positive for both calf comfort and health, although this view was stronger with respect to calf comfort. Respondents from farms using social housing (56%) had more positive perceptions of social housing, viewed social play as being associated with better calf comfort and health, and considered access to other calves and "freedom to express natural behavior" as being more important for calves, compared with respondents from farms not providing social housing. Providing greater milk allowances (>7.6 L/d) was viewed as being good for both calf comfort and health, although respondents from farms providing these milk allowances (59%) had more positive perceptions than those who provided lesser allowances. Abnormal oral behaviors were viewed as being associated with both poor calf comfort and health. The welfare importance of various resources which may reduce abnormal oral behaviors (including hay and brushes) was perceived more ambiguously, although respondents from farms providing these resources, compared with those who do not, generally viewed them as more preferred by calves. We observed a positive relationship between how respondents perceived the human-animal bond (i.e., that calves enjoy contact with humans) and stated personal behavior related to calf contact (frequency of contacting calves to scratch or pet them). Respondent demographics were not related to perceptions of the human-animal relationship, but respondents identifying as female described more frequent positive calf interactions. Described aspects of human-animal interactions were not related to implementation of social housing on-farm. Job satisfaction was positively related to perception of the human-animal relationship. Overall, these results suggest that most calf management personnel place a high value on calf welfare, although farms implementing social housing appear to place a greater value on subjective calf well-being and individual perceptions of animal welfare may depend on practical experience.

Considering the human-animal bond in developing One Health guidelines and standards for companion animals in humanitarian crises

Abstract Establishing international One Health guidelines and standards for the evacuation and care of small companion animals in humanitarian crises is essential to protect the overall well-being of people and pets impacted, improve efficacy and safety of response operations, safeguard public health and biosecurity, and mitigate the impacts of free-roaming pets on the environment and biodiversity. Given predictably larger scale and more frequent crises due to climate change and human conflict or violence, it is increasingly important to consider and plan for the impacts that invariably result when both people and pets are displaced. One Health impact statement Currently, there is a prominent focus on One Health approaches to plan for and respond to emerging infectious disease threats as they impact human physical and public health. Much less attention has been paid to all-hazards disaster preparedness and planning (DPP) that comprehensively addresses the myriad additional ways humans, other animals, and the environment are impacted by co-displacement of pets and people. If applied, One Health approaches to DPP for humanitarian crises would address a broader range of risks and harms and build the cross-disciplinary collaborations and platforms necessary to truly plan and prepare for “all hazards.” This approach also provides an exceptional opportunity to elevate One Health understanding among both professionals and the public when disaster planning initiatives are developed with, and shared among, communities around the world.

Aromatherapy in the Care of an Atypical Child with ADHD and Atopic Dermatitis

Introduction: This study was a practical intervention aimed at analyzing and demonstrating the effects of aromatherapy in a case of Atopic Dermatitis. One male child, aged 5, participated in this study with the following inclusion criteria: having a diagnosis and undergoing medical follow-up, engaging in necessary behavioral therapies, availability to participate in the study, undergoing therapeutic practice in a clinic weekly and at home daily. The skin is our boundary with the world, our body limit, the organ that allows us to feel, making exchanges and contact with the environment and people around us; it signals our emotions and affective needs. Materials and Methods: The treatment was carried out by a single professional. The sessions were held once a week, totaling 10 sessions of 45 minutes each. The following oils were used: Grape Seed Vegetable Oil: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial action, promotes wound healing, inhibits histamine production (assists in dermatitis treatment), and increases skin flexibility. Rosehip Vegetable Oil: Revitalizing action aiding in healing. Regenerating, recommended for wound care, eczema, skin lesions. Sweet Orange Essential Oil: Balance, comfort, and safety, anxiolytic, soothing, sedative, for colds and flu. Lemongrass Essential Oil: Strengthens family bonds, reduces stress and anxiety, and calms. Copaiba Essential Oil: Stress reducer, emotional soother, anti-inflammatory, healing, expectorant, anti-allergic, immune system booster. Lavender Essential Oil: Bactericidal, sedative action, recommended for stress and nervousness, dermatitis, healing, respiratory system, decongestant, bronchitis, colds. Protocol Description: An initial assessment was conducted, followed by the selection of oils to be used and the protocol definition. According to information provided by the mother, the child exhibited concentration and focus difficulties, sensory changes, respiratory issues like bronchitis and rhinitis, low immunity, and pruriginous, eczematous, scaly, and fissured cutaneous changes in the cubital fold, knee, and perioral regions, intensified after the birth of a sibling. Protocol Steps: Maternal-infant-family integration (essential oils of lemongrass and sweet orange were used olfactorily for 2 weeks); Cutaneous lesions (blend of copaiba and lavender essential oils diluted in grape seed and rosehip vegetable oils at 1.5%, for home and clinic use); Agitation and immunity (copaiba and lavender essential oils in an environmental diffuser once a day, for home and clinic use). Results: The results showed a decrease in motor and mental agitation, improved maternal/paternal-infant-family bonding, and significant improvement in dermatological conditions, with reduced eczema, itching, scaling, and dryness. Discussion and Conclusion: The application of aromatherapy requires technical and scientific knowledge, as well as the choice of oils. Aromatherapy is a complementary technique that adds to the existing behavioral and conservative treatments, enhancing their results and broadening the treatment possibilities in these cases. It works in conjunction with the medical and paramedical team, providing interdisciplinary quality care and can be considered an efficient health prevention strategy.

Protecting the people: populism and masculine security in India and Hungary

ABSTRACT The article contributes to a comparative understanding of populism, securitization, and ontological security by demonstrating how masculinity plays a central role in invocations of insecurity. We argue that masculinity, understood as a set of gendered relations that helps in forging affective communities between populist leaders, the people, and objects of securitization, can provide useful insights into the political practice of populism and securitization. Building upon an analysis of the speeches of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, this article shows how right-wing populist constructions of security function by accommodating objects of securitization within an imaginary of family and kinship and invoking a familial bond between the populist leader and the objects of securitization. These constructions of security and terrorism are built upon similar gendered relations and influences across national contexts. In their constructions of security, both populist leaders invoke love and pride in gendered ways to create a familial bond between the populist leader and the people, even as they engage in acts of violence toward objects of securitization within a familial order by deploying idioms of kinship and the family.

The impact of living with assistance dog placements on quality of life in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder or a physical disability: A longitudinal service evaluation

Abstract Assistance dogs are highly trained animals to support individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. Evidence suggests the support provided by an assistance dog can extend beyond physical assistance to therapeutic and communicative domains. However, there is limited research exploring the lived experience of assistance dog placements in the United Kingdom (UK) over an extended period of time. This longitudinal service evaluation was designed to evaluate the placement of assistance dogs, trained by the charity Dogs for Good, with adults and children with autism or a physical disability in the UK. Goals and expectations of being matched with an assistance dog prior to placement, and perceptions of how these dogs have impacted the quality of life of adults and children with autism and/or a physical disability and their families were assessed. Service users who had applied for an assistance dog via the Dogs for Good charity (n = 307) were contacted and invited to complete questionnaires at five different time points (pre-dog placement, and 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-months post dog-placement). Repeated-measures ANOVAs were conducted to determine if there were significant changes to quality of life over time. Mean quality of life scores improved significantly for all service users. Responses to free-text questions were thematically analysed, and three main themes were identified from the free-text responses: goals and expectations for assistance dog pre-placement (e.g., enhancing independence, physical functioning and wellbeing), the positive impact of the assistance dog post-placement (e.g., promoting independence, development of the human-animal bond, improving wider family dynamics, and reducing stigma), and satisfaction with the service. The findings complement and extend previous insights into the impact of assistance dogs on people with autism or a physical disability. They also highlight some challenges associated with the placement of assistance dogs and indicate the need to consider the development of further targeted support strategies.

The mental health consequences of COVID-19 on a sample of health professions students: a mixed methods study

Objective: To assess and examine how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the mental health of a sample of health professions students (HPS) using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. Participants: Participants included 41 HPS enrolled in a co-curricular interprofessional education (IPE) program. Measurements: Measures included the CES-D scale, PSS scale, and the GAD scale. Qualitative description was used to explore the experiences of these HPS. Results: The HPS explained that fear of acquiring COVID-19, transmitting the virus to loved ones, and dying as a result of the disease negatively influenced their mental health. The HPS revealed that there were some beneficial outcomes resulting from the pandemic, including the strengthening of family bonds and the cultivation of resiliency. Conclusions: The pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of these HPS. It is essential that these students receive support for their mental health in order to provide optimal care to the population they serve.

Pets are family, keep them safe: a review of emergency animal management in remote First Nations communities

Planning for and considering animals is a growing area within emergency and disaster planning. As people adapt to the changing risks of disaster events that are increasing in magnitude and frequency, communities, particularly those in regional and remote areas of Australia, face challenges that are very different from other more populated areas. These communities are often home to pets, which pose unique challenges during evacuation, response and recovery phases of emergency management. Australian state and territory government emergency management plans give varied considerations to animal management. In the Northern Territory, the Territory Emergency Plan (Northern Territory Government 2022) serves as a base for animal management in disasters. However, significant reform is required to fill gaps in considerations of animals in remote communities, especially First Nations communities, given the strong socio-cultural connections within family structures and contributions to wellbeing under First Nations health worldviews and the human-animal bond. Such reform requires consultation and collaboration with First Nations Australians to promote ‘right-way’ science, build local capacity and support community resilience. Considerations of the interplay between people and their pets in disaster planning, response and recovery contributes to ongoing advances in the ‘One Health’ and ‘One Welfare’ paradigms.

THE USE OF CULTURAL ELEMENTS IN SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISEMENTS: SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF APPLE TÜRKİYE “THE GREAT ESCAPE” COMMERCIAL FILM

Today, social media has caused a major transformation, especially in the field of advertising, and these platforms have become a powerful tool for brands to deliver their products and services to wider audiences. Each culture has its own unique language, symbols, traditions and set of values, and these cultural elements can help advertisers convey their messages in a way that is appropriate for the target culture. The purpose of advertising is to persuade consumers by appealing to the values of the target group. In this study, cultural elements and how they are positioned are analysed by making use of Roland Barthes' semiotic approaches. According to the YouTube Ads Leaderboard Turkey results of the second quarter of 2023, the Apple commercial film titled "The Great Escape" was announced to be the most watched commercial film. In this study, this commercial film which was shot in Istanbul Grand Bazaar using only an iPhone 14 Pro was analysed in eight sections. In the two minutes thirty-seven seconds long film which was directed by Sinan Sevinç, seventeen cultural elements were found to be used and each element was analysed in detail. As a result, it was determined that the use of local cultural elements in the advertisements enables the target audience to identify themselves with the advertisement providing a strong emotional bond with the brand. It also creates the impression that the brand shows cultural sensitivity in consumers, and is an indicator that it endeavours to understand the lifestyle and values of the target audience.

Importance Destination Loyalty: The Case Monumen Tugu Pahlawan in Surabaya, East Java

The focus of the research is to examine and analyze the factors of the importance of destination loyalty in historical places. It can be said that historical places have their uniqueness or characteristics as an identity and value that must be preserved. Method: This research uses a quantitative method where SEM-PLS is used to test and analyze the collected data in the form of respondents' answers in the questionnaire. The number of respondents was 210, who had characteristics of educational background, age, gender, and social media used so that this could describe the level of respondents' understanding of knowledge and love of historical places. Results showed that the three antecedents are tourist satisfaction, patriotism, and gender, which motivate someone to intend and re-visit a monument and influence destination loyalty. It can be clearly illustrated that respondents have a strong emotional bond with the historical value of destination loyalty. Novelty: gender has an important meaning and can be a moderating variable. Originality: historical value in the form of the results of the struggle of Surabaya youth against the colonialists, which is then realized in a destination.

Perceptions and opinions of pet caregivers in mainland and Hong Kong China about surgery, pain management, and anesthesia in dogs and cats

Small animal caregivers’ perceptions and previous life experiences play a pivotal role in patient care, making effective communication fundamental within the veterinary business. Despite the large and growing scale of the pet industry, data on small animal client-centered information about veterinary services in Mainland China (MC) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) China are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions and opinions of small animal caregivers about surgery, pain management, and anesthesia in dogs and cats in these geographical regions through a validated online survey using content validity index. A total of 2080 valid answers were collected by convenience sampling over 45 days. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data; the chi-square test and generalized linear models were used to test the associations between demographics and responses. Overall, caregivers appeared favorable toward the use of analgesia in their pets, with concerns over the potential adverse effects produced by analgesic drugs. Joint pain and ear infections were generally rated as conditions that would be less prone to require analgesia. Significant associations were observed for demographic factors such as gender, age, and geographical area, whether participants were healthcare providers, and whether their pets had undergone surgery before. Although many respondents expressed uncertainty in recognizing pain in their pets and administering analgesics, they also expressed a desire to learn and to be informed. This study highlights areas and factors that may determine the perceptions and opinions of small animal caregivers that form a unique human-animal bond in China. Client communication should be addressed on a case-by-case basis and adapted to the geographical area, as the individual background and demographics may have an ultimate impact on treatment goals and patient care.

Effective breastfeeding techniques and associated factors among lactating women: a community-based study, north east Ethiopia.

Effective breastfeeding techniques, which include proper attachment, positioning, and suckling, offer a range of benefits for both the mother and the infant. These techniques ensure efficient milk transfer, reduce the risk of infections, support optimal infant weight gain, enhance maternal comfort, and foster a strong emotional bond. This study aimed to identify the magnitude and factors associated with effective breastfeeding techniques among lactating women in the Legambo district of South Wollo, Ethiopia, in 2022. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2022. Samples were selected using a multi-stage sampling method from 18 wards (kebele). Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and an observational checklist. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data and then exported to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the magnitude and associated factors. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 on multivariable analysis were considered independent factors associated with the outcome variable. Six hundred and ten lactating women were included for observation and interviewed, resulting in a 96.2% response rate. The magnitude of effective breastfeeding technique practice was found to be 25.9% (95% CI: 22.47-29.57%). Factors associated with effective breastfeeding technique practice included being a working woman (AOR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.07-2.72), age between 26 and 30 years (AOR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.16-0.84), urban residence (AOR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.06-2.39), initiating breastfeeding 1 to 2 h after birth (AOR = 0.27; 95%CI: 0.16-0.43), and initiating breastfeeding after 2 h of birth (AOR = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.17-0.67). Additionally, not receiving breastfeeding education (AOR = 0.46; 95%CI: 0.30-0.72) and experiencing current breast problems (AOR = 0.28; 95%CI: 0.28-0.75) were also found to have a significant association with effective breastfeeding technique practice. Only one in four women demonstrated effective breastfeeding techniques, indicating that their practice was below the WHO's recommendations. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the identified variables to improve the practice of effective breastfeeding techniques.

Dog Owners' Perceptions of the Convenience and Value of Chewable Oclacitinib: Quantitative Survey Data from an International Survey.

Oclacitinib is an oral therapy indicated for pruritus associated with allergic or atopic dermatitis in dogs. This study sought to assess pet owners' perceptions of the relative convenience and value of the conventional film-coated formulation and the chewable formulation. A quantitative discrete-choice experimental methodology was applied, comparing (conventional, film-coated) oclacitinib versus chewable oclacitinib using unbranded treatment profiles. Initially, a qualitative interview phase with pet owners and veterinarians was conducted to develop detailed treatment profiles. Subsequently, pet owners participated in a quantitative survey. Overall, 1590 pet owners provided survey responses. Most respondents (62%) reported having experienced challenges administering tablet-based therapies to their dog(s). Half of all respondents (52%) had experience administering flavoured or chewable tablets to their dog. Comparing oclacitinib and chewable oclacitinib (with or without associated costs), the majority of the respondents preferred the chewable formulation in all regions across short-term and long-term scenarios (≥58%; all p < 0.05). The current research is one of few survey-driven studies for treatment preferences in companion animal medicine. Veterinarians may offer chewable or palatable treatment options where available, with potential positive impacts on convenience, compliance, outcomes, quality of life, and the human-animal bond.

Realizacja prawa do prywatności w rozumieniu poszanowania życia rodzinnego i wykonywania opieki rodzicielskiej w warunkach ubóstwa. Uwagi na gruncie wybranych norm prawa międzynarodowego publicznego i Europejskiej konwencji praw człowieka

Interference in family life is a particular form of threat to poor families, especially when the only impetus for state action in the form of an interference in the right to privacy is the poor material situation of the family. The article reflects on the possible threats to the realisation of family life within the framework of the right to privacy established under public international law, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In the view of the Human Rights Committee, the family should be oriented towards enabling the child to remain in the care of his or her parents or to return to their care or to other family members. The Committee on the Rights of the Child points out that the implementation of the right to privacy prohibits the recognition of material poverty as a basis and justification for taking a child out of parental care and into foster care. The European Court of Human Rights case law presented in the article confirms that children from poor families are at risk of being taken away from their parents and placed in foster care due to the financial status of the family, which may constitute a violation of the Article 8 of the ECHR. The fact that state authorities wrongly equate the lack of sufficient resources to support the family with child neglect poses a threat to the family life of poor individuals. Victims of violations of family bonds through harm to the private lives of family members should be protected under the human rights system. The following analysis makes it possible to identify the relevant problems from the point of view of the impoverished person or/and family, such as the questioning of parental capacity as a consequence of the erroneous equation of poverty with child neglect, or the withdrawal of the right to material assistance, all of which affect the realisation of family life, and further enables the identification of legal remedies for protection.

Glucocorticoid response to naturalistic interactions between children and dogs

Although research has shown that pets appear to provide certain types of social support to children, little is known about the physiological bases of these effects, especially in naturalistic contexts. In this study, we investigated the effect of free-form interactions between children (ages 8–10 years) and dogs on salivary cortisol concentrations in both species. We further investigated the role of the child-dog relationship by comparing interactions with the child's pet dog to interactions with an unfamiliar dog or a nonsocial control condition, and modeled associations between survey measures of the human-animal bond and children's physiological responses. In both children and dogs, salivary cortisol decreased from pre- to post-interaction; the effect was strongest for children interacting with an unfamiliar dog (compared to their pet dog) and for the pet dogs (compared to the unfamiliar dog). We found minimal evidence for associations between cortisol output and behaviors coded from video, but children scoring higher on survey measures of the human-animal bond exhibited the greatest reductions in cortisol when interacting with dogs. Self-reported loneliness was not related to cortisol or the human-animal bond, but measures of both loneliness and the human-animal bond were higher among children who participated after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, relative to those who participated before the pandemic. This study builds on previous work that investigated potential stress-buffering effects of human-animal interaction during explicit stressors and demonstrates important physiological correlates of naturalistic interactions between children and dogs, similar to those that occur in daily life.

Psychological aspects of peacekeeping missions

Relevance. The article discusses the influence of military personnel participation in peacekeeping missions on the psychological state of their family members. This topic is particularly relevant amid growing global militarization and the need for effective regulation by peacekeepers. Purpose. The purpose of the empirical study is to identify the relationship between family identification and the ability of military personnel's family members to consciously overcome stress associated with peacekeeping missions. Methodology. The study involved family members of military personnel undergoing training and those who have already participated in a peacekeeping mission. Three questionnaires were used to collect data, focusing on perceived stress levels, conscious controllability, and family identification features. Results. Statistical analysis revealed that family identification significantly influences the ability of military family members to manage stress caused by participation in peacekeeping missions. The analysis identified four types of subjects differentiated by their levels of family identification and stress management capabilities. Family members with high family identification exhibited better stress management and adaptability. Conversely, those with low family identification struggled more with stress and showed lower adaptability. The study found a positive correlation between strong family bonds and effective stress management, highlighting the importance of family support in coping with the challenges posed by peacekeeping missions. Conclusions. The findings indicate that family identification is crucial in helping military families cope with stress from peacekeeping missions. This typology provides a basis for developing socio-psychological support methods, identifying risk groups, and offering targeted psychological assistance to different types of military family members. By understanding the specific needs and stress management capabilities of military families, it becomes possible to design more effective support programs that enhance resilience and well-being among the families of peacekeepers. Keywords: personnel; self-organization; family identification; perceived stress

Pets and Pediatrics, Friend and Foe: Companionship Masking Illnesses

Animals are companions that have continued to hold importance in the average American household. Traditional animals like dogs and cats are often treated as family members due to the human-animal bond. Although it seems as if there are many benefits to having animals in the home, it comes at a price—pet-borne illnesses. Compared to adults, the pediatric population is at a greater risk for these types of illnesses. Animals are natural reservoirs for many bacteria that may be passed to children, especially those who are immunocompromised. The goal of this article is to educate parents on the risks and symptoms of common pet-borne illnesses that are difficult to prevent from coming into the home.

Exploring the impact of dogs on the human-cat relationship in private homes

Abstract Despite the growing numbers of dogs and cats cohabiting in US households, little research has focused on the influence of dogs on the human-animal bond of their feline roommates. The present study investigated whether cohabiting with a dog has an impact on the human-cat bond and the ways in which cats interact with humans. Based on existing knowledge of the differences between human-dog and human-cat interactions, we predicted that cats who have lived with a dog for at least 1 year will exhibit differences in the bond and interaction frequency with their owners. A 46-item survey was administered to 682 US cat owners via social media (SM) and Mechanical Turk (MTurk), Amazon’s crowdsourcing service, to collect data on demographics, interaction frequency, behavioral issues, and pet-owner bond. Although owners in cat-only households tended to report slightly higher bond scores with their cats ( μ SM = 30.34; μ Mturk = 28.32) than owners in mixed households ( μ SM = 29.33; μ Mturk = 27.42), the differences were small, and the association between household type and bond score was not significant ( p SM = 0.973, p MTurk = 0.124). Owners who engaged in more frequent active interactions with their cats had higher bond scores. These results indicate that spending more time engaging in active interactions with one’s cat is associated with a stronger bond, and the frequency of these interactions may be more important than the presence of a cohabiting dog.

Walk or be walked by the dog? The attachment role

BackgroundThe human-animal bond has been recognized as having positive effects on the health and well-being of both humans and pets. The present study aims to explore the influence of attachment on physical activity (PA), lifestyle, and health outcomes of dog owners (DO), highlighting the mutual benefits resulting from the relationship between DO and dogs.MethodsThirty-eight DO and their dogs participated in this study. Socio-demographic data, the Self-Rated Health (SRH), FANTASTICO Lifestyle Scale, and the Lexington Attachment Pet Scale (LAPS) were assessed. PA was measured in both the DO and the dogs, using an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer in the context of daily routine. Descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation analyses were performed to examine the associations between LAPS, PA levels, socio-demographic variables, lifestyle behaviors, and SRH.ResultsSignificant correlations were found between the dog owners’ light-level PA and the pets’ vigorous level of PA (rho = 0.445, p = 0.01). Furthermore, the importance of the pets’ health (rho = -0.785, p = 0.02) and the LAPS subscales, namely proximity (rho = 0.358, p = 0.03), and attachment (rho = 0.392, p = 0.01), were related to taking the pet for a walk. Regarding lifestyle, DO with a healthier lifestyle had a better self-assessment of their health using the SRH (rho = 0.39, p = 0.02). Moreover, DO with better lifestyles also exhibited greater concern for their pet’s health (rho = 0.398, p = 0.01).ConclusionsThis study emphasizes that individuals who adopt healthier habits tend to perceive themselves as healthier and exhibit greater concern for their pets’ health. The attachment between DO and dogs is important in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and engagement in PA. Our results highlight that the presence of a dog is associated with a higher level of PA in DO, depending on the strength of the human-animal bond.

Experiences With Deportation and Mexican-Origin Fathers’ Parenting Practices and Stress

For many Mexican-origin families in the U.S., a deportation can be a familiar sighting. Threats of deportation can infringe on parent-child bonds and the activities parents are able to participate in with their children. Using data from a community sample of 85 Mexican-origin fathers, this study utilized a culturally adapted family stress model to examine the role of fathers’ experiences with deportation in undermining positive parenting practices and heightening parenting stress, and then test whether fathers’ perceived access to informal social support moderates these associations. Multiple regression analyses showed the complexity of the role of social support in family stress processes. Findings suggest fewer positive parenting practices were reported by fathers with more deportation experiences, but only in conditions where fathers perceived lower-than-average social support. Also, fathers perceiving higher-than-average social support reported parenting stress if they were also experiencing greater depressive symptoms. Practical implications of state-sanctioned family separations are discussed.