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

What we

know

Physiological health: • Dogs lower blood pressure

and heart rate (relaxation) • Adults and small

children • Dog owner are more likely

to be physically active

Social health: • Animals help build

rapport during therapy • Animal improve social

interaction of older adults

Mental health: • Cats improve depressed

moods • Animals reduce depression

in HIV patients

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

WHOQOL-BREF Helps control confounding

factors such as physical, social and environmental health

LIMITATIONS

Small sample size Limited generalisability to

students in New Zealand

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

Slide Number 1Relationship of companion animals to student mental healthDefinitionsSlide Number 4RationaleLiterature review findingsLimitations of the literatureCurrent eventsRelationship of companion animals to student mental healthStudy designSelecting the participantsData collection: the online surveyFindingsFindingsDiscussionStrengths and limitationsImplications for future researchThank you!