(Montreal) Dog owners seem to have enjoyed better mental health since the start of the pandemic, possibly because they report being able to count on an important social support network, shows a new study.
The 1,535 study participants were split into two equal groups of dog owners and people who could potentially buy a dog. They were asked to complete an online survey, including one to assess their levels of depression, anxiety, happiness and social support.
Dog owners immediately indicate that they have a better social network than potential owners. Their depression scores were also lower.
Even among dog owners who reported only low or moderate levels of social support, anxiety scores were lower than potential owners. For those same low to moderate support groups, the happiness level of dog owners was higher than that of potential owners.
“The COVID crisis was an opportunity to see how dogs can contribute to the well-being of men during a period of crisis”, explained the author of the study, François Martin, a Quebecer from Granby. who holds a doctorate in psychology from UQAM (with a specialization in animal behavior), who has made a career in the United States for 25 years and who now works for the giant Purina.
“In the scientific literature, there is a concept that the more social support a person has, the better off they will be in difficult situations, such as divorce or death. Or a pandemic. “
Eighty-seven percent of dog owners who took this online survey said their pets have provided them with emotional support since the start of the pandemic.
Researchers recognize, however, that quantifying the association between dog ownership and well-being can be very complex, since scientific studies on this subject are ambivalent and sometimes even contradictory.
They also point out that factors like physical activity, diet, sleep patterns and stress management can impact levels of depression, anxiety and happiness.
One would speculate that some of the social support dog owners report stems from their interactions with other humans when they go out for a walk with their companion or when they go to the dog park. Mr. Martin emphasizes, however, that their data was collected in November 2020 and February 2021, when the health measures in place limited the activities that could be practiced.
“So I think at that point, having a dog definitely helped people who were single, who weren’t living with other people,” he said. I think the dogs have really had a role of social support, friendship, meaningful companionship. “
Without wanting to be too “reductionist”, he adds, “a dog is all the same a stimulus which is simple, it is easy to interact with a dog, but it is also changing, it is reactive, it is never the same thing ”.
“One of the great joys of having a dog is also to always feel accepted as you are,” concluded Mr. Martin. Even if we are cranky, our dog is happy to see us. And then he is always in agreement with what we want to do. If you want to listen to TV and then do nothing, the dog is absolutely what he wants to do. If you want to go for a long walk in the forest, that’s absolutely what he wants to do; he always agrees with our agenda. It’s wonderful to have a friend like that. “
The findings of this study were published by the scientific journal PLOS ONE.