Pets and prams:Exploring perceptions of pets in relation to maternal wellbeing

Perinatal wellbeing is a critical area of mental health to address for the benefit of parents, infants, pets, and health services. Animals, and specifically pets, have been investigated as potential wellbeing supports in clinical and non-clinical populations, yet there has been limited exploration of their role in the perinatal period. To address this gap, this study aimed to examine the perceived risks and benefits of pet ownership on perinatal mental health through qualitative reports of lived experience from mothers with pets. An online survey with open-text questions was developed; thematic analysis was applied to data from 31 eligible UK participants. The analysis identified five themes: (1) promoting wellbeing and grounding in a time of change, (2) pets as preparation for parenting, (3) caregiver burden, (4) joy and challenges of pet–baby interactions, and (5) perceptions of changing pet behavior in the perinatal period. This study indicates that accessing emotional support from pets, second-hand joy from the pet–baby bond, and having “parenting practice” are perceived wellbeing benefits from pets. Further, parents expressed that increasing social support for pet and childcare, creating boundaries for pet–baby interactions, and managing perinatal expectations could help minimize risks identified by participants, including caregiver burden and pet-based distress and anxiety. These insights may allow practitioners supporting pet-owning new parents to begin exploring new ways for families to manage pets in the perinatal period in a way that enhances wellbeing for everyone involved, including pets

Young adults' views on the mechanisms underpinning the impact of pets on symptoms of anxiety and depression

Introduction: Emerging adulthood is considered a peak age for the onset of mental health difficulties with approximately 75% of mental health disorders being diagnosed during this developmental period. Companion animals confer both risk and benefits to mental health yet the potential underpinning mechanisms which explain such impacts are not fully understood. This study aimed to gather an in-depth understanding of young adults’ lived experience of how their companion dogs and cats may impact their mental health symptoms and the perceived mechanisms which explain their effects.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 16 young adults aged 18-26 years, from the United Kingdom, who either had a companion dog, cat, or both. All participants had difficulties with anxiety and or depression, and 12 had received a formal diagnosis of an affective disorder.Results: Five overarching themes and one subtheme were identified through reflexive thematic analysis using an inductive approach: Theme 1: Pet impact on generalized anxiety and panic, Subtheme 1A: Pet impact on social anxiety and loneliness; Theme 2: Pet impact on low mood, depression, and stress; Theme 3: Pet impact on severe mental health and suicide prevention; Theme 4: Staying well; Theme 5: Positive outlook and successful futures. Several perceived mechanisms underpinning the impacts of pets for mental health were also identified.Discussion: These findings have relevance for the development and evaluation of mental health interventions and treatment protocols aimed at young adults with mental health difficulties, where companion animals may prove to be effective for symptom management and improvements in positive wellbeing

“Abusers are using COVID to enhance abuse”:Domestic abuse helpline workers’ perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on those living with domestic abuse

Background: Mobility restrictions enforced by the UK Government in March 2020 as a response to COVID-19 resulted in those vulnerable to domestic abuse being confined in isolation with their abusers, deprived of safe spaces and many of their usual sources of support. Domestic abuse helplines therefore became an increasingly vital avenue for victim support, seeing a substantial increase in service demand during lockdown periods. Purpose: This project examined the nature and frequency of calls received by domestic abuse helplines since the first COVID-19 lockdown period. Design and Sample: Through semi-structured interviews with 11 domestic abuse helpline workers across UK services dedicated to a diverse range of populations. Results: Key themes identified through thematic analysis were: (1) Abusers weaponising government guidelines to justify and intensify abuse, and restrictions acting as both a barrier and facilitator to leaving an abusive relationship; (2) A loss of previously accessed support, with users uncertain about what help was available and issues around engaging with new forms of support; and (3) Isolation from social support networks, with callers reporting a loss of respite, lack of emotional and practical support, removal of third-party abuse monitoring opportunities, and subsequent mental health implications. Conclusions: These findings will act as a crucial guide for policy decision-making regarding support needs emerging from the pandemic and beyond, highlighting the importance of multi-agency partnerships and clear referral pathways to share the increasing financial burden of domestic abuse amongst services. The longer-term integration of more diverse options for remote support to reduce the risk of detection will be paramount as we emerge from the pandemic, but these should serve to offer a wider range of support routes for abuse victims rather than a replacement for face-to-face provision

The association between attachment to companion animals and depression:A systematic review

There is significant literature related to companion animal attachment and depression, but to date, there has not been a systematic review of it. The aims of this systematic review were threefold: (1) to compare depression outcomes between pet and non-pet owners; (2) to identify the prevalence of how attachment is operationalized within the human–pet relationships literature, as it is defined in two distinct, divergent ways: as an attachment bond or as an attachment orientation; and (3) to review and synthesize the existing literature related to the association between pet attachment and depression. A search of five databases (Pubmed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycInfo) was conducted in January 2024 to locate articles (journal articles, dissertations) focusing on pets, attachment, and depression or depressive symptoms that met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 40 studies were included in the review. Eighteen studies compared depression outcomes in pet owners and non-pet owners; of these, 14 found no significant difference in depression between the two groups, while four found that pet owners were significantly less depressed than non-pet owners. Most studies measuring attachment bond revealed a positive or non-significant relationship with depression, while the majority of studies measuring attachment orientation indicate that higher levels of secure attachment are negatively associated with depression, while higher levels of attachment insecurity are typically positively associated with depression. We conclude that the field needs more clarification regarding the definition of attachment so that meaningful conclusions regarding the impact of pet attachment on mental health can be drawn.</p

The link between the nature of the human–companion animal relationship and well-being outcomes in companion animal owners

Research into the impact of companion animals on well-being has been both extensive and inconclusive, with studies finding both positive and negative relationships. The present research explored three previously unexamined relationship science concepts that may help clarify whether companion animals provide well-being benefits: self-expansion (the process of adding positive content to the self through incorporating new resources and perspectives into one’s identity or engaging in novel, exciting activities), perceived pet responsiveness, and perceived pet insensitivity; as well as attachment. We focused on dog and cat owners’ depression, anxiety, positive and negative affect, and loneliness through an online survey with a large sample population (N = 1359). We found that perceived pet insensitivity is a significant positive predictor of depression, anxiety, negative affect, and loneliness; that attachment is a significant positive predictor of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and a significant negative predictor of positive affect; and that self-expansion is a significant positive predictor of positive affect, and a significant negative predictor of loneliness. Loneliness emerged as a mediator in the relationship between perceived pet insensitivity, attachment, self-expansion, and all mental well-being outcome variables. These findings indicate that perceived pet insensitivity, attachment, and self-expansion may play an important yet neglected role in well-being outcomes