It has been carried out by researchers from Aarhus University and King’s College in London, and has been published in the scientific journal Mental Health & Prevention.
Here, 6,018 adults in the UK were followed over a year, and their levels of depression, anxiety, loss of pleasure (anhedonia) and loneliness were assessed.
No significant positive effects were demonstrated in the study for pet owners’ mental health during the corona pandemic. This surprised the researchers, says Professor Christine Parsons at the Department of Clinical Medicine. She is also one of the main authors behind the study.
– Although the research done on the topic has had mixed results, we were genuinely surprised to find that pet owners generally experienced slightly higher levels of depression, anxiety and anhedonia during the covid-19 pandemic.
– This is in stark contrast to the prevailing public perception that pets are beneficial for mental health, she says in a press release.
Countries around the world reported explosive increases in pet adoptions during the pandemic. It was largely attributed to people seeking comfort and companionship from animals to deal with feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression.
However, there is a point where pets are beneficial for mental health. That’s when it comes to loneliness.
– Our results suggest that although pets can provide company, they are by no means a universal solution for psychological problems, especially not during stressful periods such as during a pandemic, says Parsons.
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2024-09-01 03:32:10
