How animals become a source of support

The study analyzed survey data from 2,328 adult residents of Switzerland. The researchers didn’t just focus on whether a person had a pet, but also considered a range of factors, including the presence of a pet, the frequency of contact with animals, the level of attachment, and the emotional support provided by the animal. Additionally, they evaluated various aspects of well-being, such as physical health, loneliness, social support, and psychological well-being. Furthermore, the study took into account the participants’ demographic characteristics and their interactions with different types of animals.

The results revealed clear differences between the groups. Women, people who spent more time with their pets, and those who interacted with dogs expressed the strongest feelings of affection and support from their pets. However, there was no overall statistical correlation between owning a pet or regularly interacting with animals and health and well-being indicators. Moreover, there were some unexpected correlations: pet owners reported worse health and slightly higher rates of smoking compared to those without pets. Those who felt more support from their animal reported lower psychological well-being and higher levels of loneliness on average. At the same time, participants who spent more time with their animal reported higher levels of psychological well-being, and they were also more likely to smoke.

The study is observational and does not provide causal evidence. For example, it cannot be said that owning a pet worsens health. It is possible that people with poorer health are more likely to own pets. It is also important to note that the survey was conducted in only one country, and the well-being was assessed based on the participants’ subjective responses, rather than objective medical data.

The key takeaway from this study is that simply having a pet is not a sufficient indicator to understand the impact of animals on well-being. It is crucial to consider the details, such as how individuals interact with their pets, the role they play in their lives, and whether they perceive them as sources of emotional support.

According to the researchers, these nuances may explain the inconsistent findings in previous studies. In these studies, pet ownership was often viewed as a simple “yes/no” dichotomy, but in reality, it is a multidimensional construct that includes the characteristics of both the owner and the animal, as well as their relationship.