The Impact of Dog Ownership on Depression, Anxiety, and Loneliness in Community Dwelling Older Adult Dog Owners: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Older adults are the largest growing segment of the population. Due to factors associated with advancing age they are at high risk for mental health disorders, which impacts quality of life. It is important to identify strategies that maximize quality of life and help individuals retain independence after retirement. Dog ownership has been shown to confer a variety of benefits and support some aspects of mental health. Pet dogs provide varying degrees of companionship, security, and nurturance, which are protective factors associated with aging. Human bonds with dogs have existed for thousands of years and attachment to pet dogs is a complex phenomenon. Attachment theory suggests that pet dogs can serve as attachment figures for older adults, thus providing comfort during times of stress. The purpose of this study was to gain a broader understanding of the impact of dog ownership on the mental health of community dwelling older adults. Statistically significant associations between attachment, depression, anxiety, and loneliness were found. Higher attachment scores were associated with higher outcome measures of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. While the scientific evidence for dog ownership as an intervention for depression and anxiety among older adults is limited, overall support for dog ownership as an approach to promote mental health and wellbeing among older adult populations is positive, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic.