Three Things to Know
One reason for people to acquire pets is to combat loneliness. Japanese researchers investigated the impact of pet ownership on student mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly focusing on loneliness reduction.
The study found a significant association between pet ownership and improved mood, with positive effects observed in areas like cognitive function, energy levels, and overall activity. Notably, women with strong attachments to their pets, especially dogs, reported lower levels of anxiety.
While the study’s scope was limited by its sample size and focus on animal science students, the findings suggest a potential positive correlation between pet ownership and mental well-being during challenging times. Further research is warranted to explore the generalizability of these findings to a broader population.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
This study adds further evidence to the growing body of research supporting the use of therapy dogs in schools to help students cope with stress. Dog welfare advocates can leverage this by promoting programs that increase youth exposure to dogs while emphasizing responsible dog ownership and bite prevention.
Furthermore, as evidence for the mental health benefits of dog ownership grows, advocates must be mindful of individuals seeking dogs primarily to cope with stress. It’s crucial for shelter professionals to consider that potential owners may have unique, individual needs and help them find suitable dogs. This includes guiding them towards ethical sources and discouraging the purchase of dogs from breeders prioritizing trends over animal welfare.
The Full Picture
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a surge in pet ownership globally, including Japan, driven by increased time at home and the desire to combat loneliness. While pet ownership is often linked to reduced loneliness, research findings are inconsistent, highlighting the complexity of human-animal relationships.
The pandemic also significantly disrupted the lives of Japanese university students, with the shift to online learning. This study, “Companion Animal Ownership and Mood States of University Students Majoring in Animal Sciences during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan,” investigates the impact of pet ownership and attachment on the mood of these students during the early stages of the pandemic and the challenges of adapting to a new academic year.
Study Methods
This study surveyed the impact of companion animal ownership and attachment on the mood of university students majoring in animal sciences at Teikyo University of Science during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To focus the study, the survey primarily included first- to third-year animal science students, many of whom lived at home and were more likely to own pets. Data collection took place from June to July 2020, after the initial state of emergency ended, while the university continued with remote learning.
Participants completed a questionnaire assessing demographics, pet ownership details (if applicable), and the Companion Animal Attachment Scale (CAAS). They also reported perceived pandemic-related difficulties and stress-relief activities. Mood states of the students were measured using the POMS2 short form, which measures seven mood dimensions (e.g., anger, depression, vigor) and overall mood disturbance (TMD) over the past week.
Participants were categorized into three groups: non-pet owners, pet owners with low attachment, and pet owners with high attachment, based on their CAAS scores. The study’s primary objective – to analyze the relationship between pet ownership, attachment levels, and mood – was not disclosed to participants to minimize bias.
Study Results
Demographics
The study included 180 university students, with a majority (69%) being female. The average age was 19.4 years. Most students (71%) resided with family or friends, including those who had returned home due to pandemic-related school closures.
Approximately half the participants (51%) owned a pet, with dogs (66%) being the most common. 43 students exhibited low attachment to their animals, while 49 demonstrated high attachment. Notably, women reported significantly higher attachment scores than men, especially among dog owners. Among women, dog owners showed stronger attachment compared to owners of other pets.
Pet Ownership and Perceived Difficulties
Most participants (82.2%) reported experiencing difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Popular stress-relief activities included reading, watching online videos, checking social networking services (SNS), playing games, sleeping, and playing with companion animals, with students choosing an average of 5.4 methods. Notably, 89.1% of animal owners used interaction with their pets, such as playing, to relieve stress.
Despite variations in attachment levels, perceived difficulties from the pandemic did not significantly differ between students with no companion animals, those with low attachment, and those with high attachment.
Pet Ownership and Mood
The study found a significant association between pet ownership and improved mood. Students with higher attachment to their pets exhibited lower Overall Mood Disturbance (TMD) scores, indicating better overall mental well-being.
Regarding specific mood dimensions, companion animal ownership and attachment were significantly associated with better scores in Confusion-Bewilderment, Fatigue-Inertia, and Vigor-Activity, suggesting a positive impact on cognitive function, energy levels, and overall activity. Notably, dog ownership was also associated with lower scores in Tension-Anxiety, likely due to the increased physical activity and social interaction associated with dog ownership.
Women, who generally reported higher attachment to their pets, particularly dogs, showed lower scores in Tension-Anxiety. This finding contrasts with general observations of poorer mental health outcomes for women during the pandemic and highlights the potential protective role of strong pet-human bonds.
Interestingly, the number of stress-relief methods employed by students was not associated with improved mood. In fact, students engaging in multiple stress-relief activities showed higher scores in Confusion-Bewilderment, Fatigue-Inertia, and Tension-Anxiety, suggesting potential difficulties in managing stress effectively during the pandemic.
Conclusion
The voluntary nature of the survey and the small sample size limit the generalizability of the findings, particularly given the focus on animal science students. However, the study suggests that companion animal ownership and strong attachment positively influenced the mental states of these students, notably by reducing total mood disturbance, confusion, and fatigue while enhancing vigor. Further research is needed to investigate the broader implications of these findings.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
–
Year of Publication:
2021
External Link:
Namekata D, Yamamoto M. Companion Animal Ownership and Mood States of University Students Majoring in Animal Sciences during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan. Animals. 2021; 11(10):2887. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102887