Companion Animals as Buffer against the Impact of Stress on Affect: An Experience Sampling Study

Companion animals have been identified as a unique source of social support and as contributors to mental wellbeing. This study uses the Experience Sampling Method to test whether this effect is due to stress-buffering. A total of 159 dog and cat owners responded to a series of randomly scheduled questionnaires on their smartphones. At each measurement moment, they reported in whether a pet is present at that moment and to what extent they have interacted with the pet. They also reported on stressful activities and events and on their current positive (PA) and negative (NA) affect. Multilevel regression analyses showed that when a companion animal was present (vs. absent) the negative association between stress and PA is less pronounced (event stress: B = 0.13, p = 0.002, 95% CI = 0.05; 0.21 activity stress: B = 0.08, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.04; 0.12). No additional main effect was revealed when tested in a subsample of records that reported low or no stress. Main effects were found for the presence of a companion animal on negative affect (B = 0.08, p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.12; 0.05) and for interacting with a companion animal on positive affect (B = 0.06, p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.04; 0.08). This shows that the presence of a companion animal buffers against the negative consequences of stress on positive affect, indicating stress-buffering as a mechanism behind the pet-effect. It is, however, not the only mechanism and more research is required to further elucidate how companion animals contribute to human wellbeing.

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Companion Animal Type and Level of Engagement Matter: A Mixed-Methods Study Examining Links between Companion Animal Guardianship, Loneliness and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082349 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2349

Author(s):

Heather Clements ◽

Stephanie Valentin ◽

Nicholas Jenkins ◽

Jean Rankin ◽

Nancy R. Gee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Quantitative Data ◽

Online Survey ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Well Being ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide placed limitations on social interaction, which is anticipated to have severe psychological consequences. Although findings are inconsistent, prior research has suggested that companion animals may positively influence human well-being and reduce loneliness. In the context of COVID-19, this has important implications, as companion animal guardians may be less negatively affected by the pandemic. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the influence of companion animals on mental well-being and loneliness during the pandemic, with specific interest in the role of ornamental fishes. A mixed-methods study was conducted, using an international sample. Quantitative data were collected via an online survey (n = 1199) and analysed using robust hierarchical multiple regression analyses; the influence of level of engagement with companion animals was examined for dogs, cats and ornamental fishes. There was no evidence that companion animal guardianship was associated with loneliness and mental well-being during the pandemic but spending more time engaging physically or socially with dogs (and to a lesser extent cats) was generally associated with poorer outcomes. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended survey responses (n = 757) and semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two themes were developed—one related to companion animals as providers of social and emotional support, and the other to companion animals as providers of purpose and perspective. Concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic on animal welfare were also identified. Compared to other animal types, more participants expressed indifference regarding the impact of their fishes on their well-being during the pandemic, possibly because fishes cannot provide comfort via physical touch. The findings of this study reflect the wider field of human–animal interaction; although qualitative data suggest guardians believe their companion animals are a positive influence in their lives, there is little convincing quantitative data to support these beliefs. This highlights the need to refine theories regarding which aspects of companion animal guardianship may influence human well-being; the findings from this research may be useful in the refinement of such theories.

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The Effects of Sampling Frequency and Questionnaire Length on Perceived Burden, Compliance, and Careless Responding in Experience Sampling Data in a Student Population

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191120957102 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107319112095710

Author(s):

Gudrun Eisele ◽

Hugo Vachon ◽

Ginette Lafit ◽

Peter Kuppens ◽

Marlies Houben ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sampling Method ◽

Experience Sampling ◽

Sampling Frequency ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Multilevel Regression ◽

Insufficient Information ◽

Item Questionnaire ◽

Perceived Burden ◽

Careless Responding

Currently, little is known about the association between assessment intensity, burden, data quantity, and data quality in experience sampling method (ESM) studies. Researchers therefore have insufficient information to make informed decisions about the design of their ESM study. Our aim was to investigate the effects of different sampling frequencies and questionnaire lengths on burden, compliance, and careless responding. Students ( n = 163) received either a 30- or 60-item questionnaire three, six, or nine times per day for 14 days. Preregistered multilevel regression analyses and analyses of variance were used to analyze the effect of design condition on momentary outcomes, changes in those outcomes over time, and retrospective outcomes. Our findings offer support for increased burden and compromised data quantity and quality with longer questionnaires, but not with increased sampling frequency. We therefore advise against the use of long ESM questionnaires, while high-sampling frequencies do not seem to be associated with negative consequences.

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Human-Animal Interactions, Relationships and Bonds: A Review and Analysis of the Literature

International Journal of Comparative Psychology ◽

10.46867/ijcp.2014.27.01.01 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Geoff Hosey ◽

Vicky Melfi

Keyword(s):

Companion Animals ◽

Comparative Psychology ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Unified Field ◽

Agricultural Animal ◽

Standard Terminology ◽

Human Animal ◽

Set Up ◽

Sociological Approaches

The study of human-animal interactions (HAI), and the resulting human-animal relationships (HARs) and bonds (HABs) which are set up as a consequence, is currently a topical issue in comparative psychology. Here we review the HAI/HAR/HAB literature to detect the main publication trends, and to identify the predominant research themes in this area. Research in HAI/HAR/HAB only really started in the 1980s, but since then there has been a growth in studies which is still continuing. Most of these studies have been in the contexts of companion animal or agricultural animal research, but there is now a growing literature on laboratory, zoo and wild animals too. In the companion animal HAI/HAB literature the greatest emphasis has been on Animal-assisted Interventions (AAI), and the benefits to people of pet ownership and interaction with pets. Agricultural HAI/HAR research, on the contrary, has been more concerned with the welfare consequences of HAI/HARs to the animals. This disjunction is reflected in the preference of companion animal researchers to use the term ‘bond’, but agricultural researchers to use ‘relationship’. Other themes prominent in the literature include methodological issues, the characteristics of caretakers, the role of veterinarians, sociological approaches, and theoretical aspects. It is concluded that currently HAI/HAR/HAB research does not constitute a unified field, and there is a need to: i) agree and define a standard terminology; ii) undertake more research on the effects of HAI on companion animals; iii) undertake more research on the form and frequency of interactions; and iv) increase research on HAI/HAR/HABs in laboratory, zoo and wild-living animals. This research is important to understand whether HAI has positive, neutral or negative consequences, both for humans and for animals.

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The effects of sampling frequency and questionnaire length on perceived burden, compliance, and careless responding in experience sampling data in a student population

10.31234/osf.io/zf4nm ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gudrun Eisele ◽

Hugo Vachon ◽

Ginette Lafit ◽

Peter Kuppens ◽

Marlies Houben ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sampling Method ◽

Experience Sampling ◽

Sampling Frequency ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Multilevel Regression ◽

Insufficient Information ◽

Item Questionnaire ◽

Perceived Burden ◽

Careless Responding

Currently, little is known about the association between assessment intensity, burden, data quantity, and data quality in experience sampling method (ESM) studies. Researchers therefore have insufficient information to make informed decisions about the design of their ESM study. Our aim was to investigate the effects of different sampling frequencies and questionnaire lengths on burden, compliance, and careless responding.Students (n = 164) received either a 30- or 60-item questionnaire three, six, or nine times per day for 14 days. Preregistered multilevel regression analyses and ANOVAs were used to analyze the effect of design condition on momentary outcomes, changes in those outcomes over time, and retrospective outcomes.Our findings offer support for increased burden and compromised data quantity and quality with longer questionnaires, but not with increased sampling frequency. We therefore advise against the use of long ESM questionnaires, while high sampling frequencies do not seem to be associated with negative consequences.

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Temporal, Spatial, and Genomic Analyses of Enterobacteriaceae Clinical Antimicrobial Resistance in Companion Animals Reveals Phenotypes and Genotypes of One Health Concern

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.700698 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

David A. Singleton ◽

Pisut Pongchaikul ◽

Shirley Smith ◽

Rebecca J. Bengtsson ◽

Kate Baker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United Kingdom ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

One Health ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Population Level ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Health Concern ◽

Multi Drug Resistance ◽

E Coli ◽

The Impact

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a globally important one health threat. The impact of resistant infections on companion animals, and the potential public health implications of such infections, has not been widely explored, largely due to an absence of structured population-level data.ObjectivesWe aimed to efficiently capture and repurpose antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results data from several veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) across the United Kingdom to facilitate national companion animal clinical AMR surveillance. We also sought to harness and genotypically characterize isolates of potential AMR importance from these laboratories.MethodsWe summarized AST results for 29,330 canine and 8,279 feline Enterobacteriaceae isolates originating from companion animal clinical practice, performed between April 2016 and July 2018 from four VDLs, with submissions from 2,237 United Kingdom veterinary practice sites.ResultsEscherichia coli (E. coli) was the most commonly isolated Enterobacteriaceae in dogs (69.4% of AST results, 95% confidence interval, CI, 68.7–70.0) and cats (90.5%, CI 89.8–91.3). Multi-drug resistance was reported in 14.1% (CI 13.5–14.8) of canine and 12.0% (CI 11.1–12.9) of feline E. coli isolates. Referral practices were associated with increased E. coli 3rd generation ≤ cephalosporin resistance odds (dogs: odds ratio 2.0, CI 1.2–3.4). We selected 95 E. coli isolates for whole genome analyses, of which seven belonged to sequence type 131, also carrying the plasmid-associated extended spectrum β-lactamase gene blaCTX–M–15. The plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene mcr-9 was also identified for the first time in companion animals.ConclusionsLinking clinical AMR data with genotypic characterization represents an efficient means of identifying important resistance trends in companion animals on a national scale.

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Grieving the Loss of a Companion Animal: Pastoral Perspective and Personal Narrative regarding One Sort of Disenfranchised Grief

Review & Expositor ◽

10.1177/003463730510200106 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 102 (1) ◽

pp. 47-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tarris D. Rosell

Keyword(s):

Personal Narrative ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Disenfranchised Grief ◽

Definition Of ◽

The Impact

People grieve because of the death of their companion animals; however, this grief is often overlooked or trivialized as an insignificant form of mourning. In this essay Tarris Rosell helps define disenfranchised grief and brings it into a practical pastoral perspective. He provides readers with sensitive ways to consider the impact that the loss of a companion animal can have on a grieving individual. Beside the pastoral definition of disenfranchised grief, the author also provides a thoughtful and touching personal narrative of his family's grief, rituals and healing regarding the loss of their companion animal.

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Cremation Services upon the Death of a Companion Animal: Views of Service Providers and Service Users

Society and Animals ◽

10.1163/156853011x578910 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 248-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Anna Chur-Hansen

Keyword(s):

Service Providers ◽

Companion Animals ◽

Companion Animal ◽

Systematic Research ◽

Data Sets ◽

Service Users ◽

Australian Society ◽

Grieving Process ◽

The Impact

AbstractThere is no systematic research on the rites and rituals associated with companion animal death in modern Australian society. Three cremation service providers were interviewed and asked to consider which caretakers have their companion animals cremated. Seven people who had recently had a companion animal cremated were then asked about their views on the process. Five interrelated themes emerged from the two data sets about who uses cremation services for companion animals: “Everyone uses companion animal cremation services”; “People who consider the companion animal as a family member, as a child”; “People who want memorials for their companion animals”; “Grieving people”; and “People who seek compassion and social support.” With scant recognition of the impact of companion animal death and the role of rites and rituals in facilitating the grieving process, further research in the area is needed, including into attachment as a possible mediator.

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Winning isn’t everything: The impact of optimally challenging Smartphone games on flow, game preference and individuals gaming to escape aversive bored states

10.31234/osf.io/4sjxq ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chanel Larche

Keyword(s):

Positive Affect ◽

Everyday Life ◽

Mood States ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Depressive Symptomology ◽

Boredom Proneness ◽

State Boredom ◽

Problematic Gaming ◽

The Impact ◽

Flow Game

Recently there has been concern surrounding the relation between flow and the development of problematic gaming among players who game to escape noxious mood states. There is a scarcity of research examining how this relation might extend to smartphone games. Here we assessed whether gaming to escape is characterized by heightened boredom proneness and depressive symptomology in everyday life in addition to negative consequences related to smartphone gaming. We also assessed whether escape players preferentially experience flow, positive affect and effectively less boredom than non-escape players. We also measured whether escape players had enhanced arousal and urge during actual gameplay. To compare the in-game experiences between escape and non-escape players, we characterized gaming to escape as the upper tercile of all escape scores in our sample (n = 20), and non-escape players as the lower tercile of escape scores (n = 20). As expected we showed that gaming to escape was associated with boredom proneness in everyday life, which was in itself correlated with depressive symptomology. During gameplay, those who game to escape boredom demonstrated heightened flow and positive affect compared to non-escape players. State boredom scores however were comparable between the two groups. Importantly, those who game to escape demonstrated greater arousal and urge-to-play following gameplay than non-escape players – but only for optimally challenging games. Findings converge to suggest that bored escape players may seek flow and its consequent positive affect for relief from states of hypo-arousal and monotony through optimally challenging games.

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Conflicts in Biafra, Katanga and Cabinda as a result of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism

OOO Zhurnal Voprosy Istorii ◽

10.31166/voprosyistorii202010statyi60 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 (10-3) ◽

pp. 238-246

Author(s):

Olga Dzhenchakova

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

Economic Factor ◽

Colonial Period ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Post Colonial ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Republic ◽

The Impact

The article considers the impact of the colonial past of some countries in sub-Saharan Africa and its effect on their development during the post-colonial period. The negative consequences of the geopolitical legacy of colonialism are shown on the example of three countries: Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Angola, expressed in the emergence of conflicts in these countries based on ethno-cultural, religious and socio-economic contradictions. At the same time, the focus is made on the economic factor and the consequences of the consumer policy of the former metropolises pursuing their mercantile interests were mixed.

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The impact of participant pathways on the effectiveness of a community-based physical activity intervention grounded in motivational interviewing

10.31219/osf.io/2sxc3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Wade ◽

Nicola Brown ◽

James Steele ◽

Steven Mann ◽

Bernadette Dancy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary Care ◽

Motivational Interviewing ◽

Social Action ◽

Multilevel Models ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Community Based ◽

The Impact ◽

Time Point

Background: Brief advice is recommended to increase physical activity (PA) within primary care. This study assessed change in PA levels and mental wellbeing after a motivational interviewing (MI) community-based PA intervention and the impact of signposting [SP] and Social Action [SA] (i.e. weekly group support) pathways. Methods: Participants (n=2084) took part in a community-based, primary care PA programme using MI techniques. Self-reported PA and mental wellbeing data were collected at baseline (following an initial 30-minute MI appointment), 12-weeks, six-months, and 12-months. Participants were assigned based upon the surgery they attended to the SP or SA pathway. Multilevel models were used to derive point estimates and 95%CIs for outcomes at each time point and change scores. Results: Participants increased PA and mental wellbeing at each follow-up time point through both participant pathways and with little difference between pathways. Retention was similar between pathways at 12-weeks, but the SP pathway retained more participants at six-months and 12-months. Conclusions: Both pathways produced similar improvements in PA and mental wellbeing, suggesting the effectiveness of MI based PA interventions. However, due to lower resources required yet similar effects, SP pathways are recommended over SA to support PA in primary care settings.

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