Higher attachment to pets, especially dogs, is linked to reduced anxiety and depression in women, with the strongest benefits seen in those who experienced childhood abuse. This supports the therapeutic role of pets in mental health.
By Vijay Kumar MalesuReviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc.Aug 7 2024 In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers determine whether a close bond with a pet reduces the risk of depression and anxiety, particularly among women who have experienced childhood abuse.
Previous studies on depression and anxiety among pet owners show mixed results due to methodological issues. Thus, further research is needed to clarify the protective role of pet attachment against depression and anxiety, particularly among high-risk subpopulations, as well as address methodological issues in previous studies.
Secondary analyses defined dichotomous outcomes for clinically relevant symptoms using established cutoff values. Covariates included age, body mass index , life-threatening events, marital status, stressful events, childhood abuse, alcohol consumption, social integration, physical activity, and mindfulness.
The exposed group included 140 participants who provided at least one LAPS assessment, while 74 women who declared not owning a pet at least once constituted the unexposed reference group. The averaged LAPS measure indicated high attachment among the study sample. Higher dog attachment correlated with lower mean scores on the CESD-10, overall z-score for anxiety and depression, and GAD-7. No significant mediating effects were observed in the multivariable model for any outcome variables among participants with dog attachments. No significant associations between cat attachment, depression, and anxiety were observed.
Depression Diabetes Mental Health Research
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