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Association between Pet Ownership and Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadians Assessed in a Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • José Denis-Robichaud

    (Independent Researcher, Amqui, QC G5J 2N5, Canada)

  • Cécile Aenishaenslin

    (Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
    Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
    Groupe de Recherche en Épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique (GREZOSP), Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M1, Canada)

  • Lucie Richard

    (Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
    Faculté des Sciences Infirmières, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada)

  • Marion Desmarchelier

    (Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada)

  • Hélène Carabin

    (Département de Pathologie et Microbiologie, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
    Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada
    Groupe de Recherche en Épidémiologie des Zoonoses et Santé Publique (GREZOSP), Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M1, Canada
    Département de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3N 1X9, Canada)

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association between pet ownership and quality of life (QoL), loneliness, anxiety, stress, overall health, and mental health of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic using a One Health perspective. An online bilingual survey was completed by 1500 Canadians in April–May 2021. Socio-demographics, health, QoL, stress and anxiety, loneliness, social support, pet ownership, and attitude towards pets data were collected. Crude and adjusted associations between pet ownership and mental health and well-being indicators were estimated. The 1500 participants were from all provinces and territories, half were women; half of the participants were pet owners by design. The crude association estimates showed that pet owners had poorer QoL, overall health, and mental health than non-pet owners, and were lonelier, more stressed, and more anxious than non-pet owners. Adjusted estimates showed that these associations disappeared with the inclusion of the confounders (socio-economic, demographic, health, and pet-related variables). Our results suggest that there was no association between pet ownership and the mental health and well-being indicators measured in the present study.

Suggested Citation

  • José Denis-Robichaud & Cécile Aenishaenslin & Lucie Richard & Marion Desmarchelier & Hélène Carabin, 2022. "Association between Pet Ownership and Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadians Assessed in a Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2215-:d:750408
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