Pets are as good as friends and family, study finds
Anyone who has a pet at home knows the immediate effect of a stroke or a game. But science indicates that this bond goes beyond momentary pleasure and can bring consistent benefits to physical and mental health. A study conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom reinforces this perception by quantifying the impact of pets on life satisfaction.
The analysis used data from the United Kingdom Longitudinal Study of Families, which has been following around 40,000 families, approximately 100,000 people, since 2009. For this work, 2,617 households were evaluated. Participants answered questionnaires about personality, the presence of pets and other factors associated with well-being, in addition to assigning monetary values to the impact of these elements on their lives.
The results draw attention: having a pet was associated with a gain in well-being equivalent to up to 70 thousand pounds sterling per year, a level similar to that observed for frequent meetings with friends and family. On a life satisfaction scale of 1 to 7, pet owners reported an increase of 3 to 4 points.
Other evidence points in the same direction. A report from UC Davis Health, linked to the University of California, in the United States, highlights that living with animals can reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate loneliness and offer a sense of purpose. There is also evidence of benefits in conditions such as Alzheimer's, as well as an association with lower blood pressure. In the case of dogs, the impact extends to encouraging physical activity, weight loss and increased social interaction, as walks encourage contact with other people.
"In fact, living with pets can bring the aforementioned benefits, but they can vary according to the animal, the relationship built with it, the owner's moment in life, the care conditions and the role that the individual attributes to them", ponders psychologist Patrícia Cabral, from Einstein Hospital Israelita.
Children are among the most benefited, as contact with pets can stimulate social skills, empathy, a sense of responsibility and sensory development. People with anxiety and depression also tend to benefit, with reduced symptoms, less isolation and a greater sense of emotional support.
Some groups show even more significant gains. "Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), for example, tend to show improvements in self-esteem, body posture, which becomes more confident, and a reduction in repetitive behaviors when participating in therapies with animals, especially dogs", explains biologist and master in science Francisco Giugliano de Souza Cabral, researcher at the Laboratory of Ethology, Development and Social Interactions at the University of São Paulo (USP).
Elderly people in long-term care facilities also benefit because interaction with animals stimulates memories, strengthens social bonds and improves the collective environment. In school contexts, reading programs are associated with greater engagement and confidence among children. However, despite the benefits, animals do not replace medical or psychological treatments. "They can be a complementary factor in care and well-being", points out Cabral.
Good for everyone
For coexistence to be positive, it is essential to respect limits. Young children must be supervised and the animal's health must also be up to date, with vaccinations and veterinary monitoring, in order to prevent diseases.
It is also important to assess the well-being of the pet itself. "Forced interactions, non-consensual hugs, excessive noise, lack of respect for the pet's rest and excessive humanization, such as putting on warm clothes in the summer or offering human food, generate chronic stress and negative impacts on their well-being", observes the psychologist.
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Source: CNN