The presence of a dog in a family with a child is considered dangerous by many people for hygienic reasons and possible accidents, while other people believe it is very important for the child’s psychological development. It is possible that the dog has a positive effect on the mothers too. The aim of the current research was to assess whether owning a dog could be related to a reduced anxiety in human mothers. The sample was formed by 50 primipara mothers of 0-6 year old children; 25 women owned a dog and 25 did not at the time the survey was carried out. All mothers filled in a STAI-Y questionnaire (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – Y form created by Spielberger et al., 1983), measuring both temporary/emotional state anxiety and long standing personality trait anxiety in adults. The results of the two groups were compared using a Mann-Whitney test (P < 0.05). Mothers owning a dog were found to have a statistically lower level of state anxiety (median values: 38.0 versus 45.0; Z sub T = 2.245; P = 0.025) and trait anxiety (median values: 36.0 versus 46.0; Z sub T = 2.537; P = 0.011) compared to the mothers who were not dog owners. The preliminary data suggest that owning a dog is related to a reduced degree of anxiety in primipara mothers of young children. Further research should investigate whether the dog reduces the anxiety or rather dogs are adopted by less anxious people.

Is dog ownership related to a reduced anxiety in human mothers?

GAZZANO, ANGELO;ZILOCCHI, MARCELLA;SIGHIERI, CLAUDIO;MARITI, CHIARA
2013-01-01

Abstract

The presence of a dog in a family with a child is considered dangerous by many people for hygienic reasons and possible accidents, while other people believe it is very important for the child’s psychological development. It is possible that the dog has a positive effect on the mothers too. The aim of the current research was to assess whether owning a dog could be related to a reduced anxiety in human mothers. The sample was formed by 50 primipara mothers of 0-6 year old children; 25 women owned a dog and 25 did not at the time the survey was carried out. All mothers filled in a STAI-Y questionnaire (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – Y form created by Spielberger et al., 1983), measuring both temporary/emotional state anxiety and long standing personality trait anxiety in adults. The results of the two groups were compared using a Mann-Whitney test (P < 0.05). Mothers owning a dog were found to have a statistically lower level of state anxiety (median values: 38.0 versus 45.0; Z sub T = 2.245; P = 0.025) and trait anxiety (median values: 36.0 versus 46.0; Z sub T = 2.537; P = 0.011) compared to the mothers who were not dog owners. The preliminary data suggest that owning a dog is related to a reduced degree of anxiety in primipara mothers of young children. Further research should investigate whether the dog reduces the anxiety or rather dogs are adopted by less anxious people.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/687681
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