A presentation by Sakshi Kalani Companion animals Mental health A - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A presentation by Sakshi Kalani

 Companion animals  Mental health  “A state of well-being” (WHO, 2011)  Resilience/flourishing: “[Being able to] cope with the normal stresses of life” (WHO, 2011)  Broad concept

 What is already known  Literature  Current events

Physiological health: • Dogs lower blood pressure and heart rate (relaxation) • Adults and small children • Dog owner are more likely to be physically active Mental health: Social health: • Cats improve depressed • Animals help build moods rapport during therapy What • Animals reduce depression • Animal improve social in HIV patients we interaction of older adults know

 The quality of evidence is weak!  Lack of RCTs and longitudinal studies  Small sample sizes (limited generalisability)  Very few studies are replicated  Uncontrolled confounding variables  Very few studies explore mental health benefits of companion animals for young people

 Introduction of puppy rooms to relieve exam stress "Obviously puppies are really cool because animals de-stress you” (Fairfax Media, 2013)

 Is there a relationship?  If yes, then what does this relationship look like?  Is this relationship stronger for some animals than others?  Does the time spent with the animal account for variance in mental health?  What are the benefits and harms interacting with a companion animal?

 My research paradigm Objectivism (epistemology) Post-positivism (theoretical perspective) Quantitative survey research (methodology)

 Sampling method:  Convenience sampling ▪ All secondary schools in Auckland were emailed and invited to participate in the research ▪ The study was advertised in newsletters, notices and during assemblies to year 13 students

 Demographic information  WHOQQOL-BREF  Formed a new scale with questions related to human-animal interaction  Information about the companion animal  Reasons for having the companion animal  Activities carried out  Positives and negatives

Summary statistics  8 Auckland schools and 69 students participated  40 females and 21 males  Average age was 17 years  Most common pets were cats and dogs

 Students with and without a companion animals scored similarly on the four WHOQOL domains:  Physical  Social  Environmental  Mental  Relationships with each animal are yet to be assessed

 Students with companion animals have similar mental health to those without companion animals

STRENGTHS LIMITATIONS  WHOQOL-BREF  Small sample size  Helps control confounding  Limited generalisability to factors such as physical, social students in New Zealand and environmental health

 Future studies should have large sample size  Intervention studies should be carried out