Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Health over the Life Course and Human-Animal Interaction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Well-Being Over the Life Course

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Well-Being and Quality of Life Research ((BRIEFSWELLBEING))

Abstract

Research on the relationship between human animal interaction (HAI) and health and well-being over the life course typically focuses on specific age groups. This is particularly the case in the United States where HAI measures have not historically been included in longitudinal studies. We present a brief overview of the role of companion animals in healthy development and aging over the life course and evidence of how HAI may affect those processes. Limitations of research on HAI and health to date are discussed with a focus on the need to include measures of pet ownership and attachment in population representative samples to facilitate secondary analysis. Several population-representative data resources that can be used to study HAI across the life course in the United States are described: the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort, the General Social Survey, and the Health and Retirement Study. Opportunities for researchers to contribute to the growing multidisciplinary field of HAI research are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, D. (1997). Effects of dogs on human health. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 210, 1136–1139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, K., Shykoff, B., & Izzo, J. (2001). Pet Ownership, but not ace inhibitor therapy blunts home blood pressure responses to mental stress. Hypertension, 38, 815–820.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amiot, C. E., & Bastian, B. (2015). Toward a psychology of human–animal relations. Psychological Bulletin, 141(1), 6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, D. C. (Ed.). (2006). Assessing the human-animal bond: A compendium of actual measures. West Lafayette: Perdue University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, W., Reid, C., & Jennings, L. (1992). Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 157, 298–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baun, M., Oetting, K., & Bergstrom, N. (1991). Health benefits of companion animals in relation to the physiologic indices of relaxation. Holistic Nursing Practice, 15, 16–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bures, R. M., Mueller, M. K., & Gee, N. R. (2019). Measuring human-animal attachment in a large US survey: Two brief measures for children and their primary caregivers. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clutterbuck, G., Auld, M., & Johnston, L. (2019). Active exercise interventions improve gross motor function of ambulant/semi-ambulant children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(10), 1131–1151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creagan, E. T., Bauer, B. A., Thomley, B.S., Borg, J. M. (2015). Animal-assisted therapy at Mayo Clinic: The time is now. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 21(2), 101–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.03.002.

  • Esposito, L. E., McCardle, P., Maholmes, V., McCune, S., & Griffin, J. A. (2010). Introduction. In P. McCardle, M. McCune, J. A., Griffin, L., Esposito, & L. Freund (Eds.), Animals in our lives: Human-animal interaction in family, community, & therapeutic settings (pp. 1–5). Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Esposito, L., McCune, S., Griffin, J., & Maholmes, V. (2011). Directions in human-animal interaction research: child development, health, and therapeutic interventions. Child Development Perspectives, 0, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedmann, E., & Gee, N. R. (2018). Critical review of research methods used to consider the impact of human–animal interaction on older adults’ health. The Gerontologist, 59(5), 964–972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrity, T. F., & Stallones, L. (1998). Effects of pet contact on human well-being: Review of recent research. In C. C. Wilson & D. C. Turner (Eds.), Companion animals in human health (pp. 3–23). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrity, T. F., Stallones, L. F., Marx, M. B., & Johnson, T. P. (1989). Pet ownership and attachment as supportive factors in the health of the elderly. Anthrozoös, 3(1), 35–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gee, NR., Griffin, J. A., & McCardle, P. M. (2017). Human-Animal Interaction Research in School Settings: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. AERA Open, 3(3), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2332858417724346.

  • Goddard, A. T., & Gilmer, M. J. (2015). The role and impact of animals with pediatric patients. Pediatric Nursing, 41(2), 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, J. A., Hurley, K., & McCune, S. (2020). Human-Animal Interaction research: Progress and possibilities. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02803.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, R., & Williams, J. (2017). Childhood attachment to pets: Associations between pet attachment, attitudes to animals, compassion, and humane behaviour. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(5), 490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Headey, B. (2003). Pet ownership: Good for health? Medical Journal of Australia, 179(9), 460–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Headey, B., & Grabka, M. M. (2007). Pets and human health in Germany and Australia: National longitudinal results. Social Indicators Research, 80(2), 297–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Headey, B., & Grabka, M. (2011). Health correlates of pet ownership from national surveys. In P. McCardle, S. McCune, J. A. Griffin, & V. Maholmes (Eds.), How animals affect us: Examining the influence of human–animal interaction on child development and human health (pp. 153–162). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Headey, B., Na, F., & Zheng, R. (2008). Pet dogs benefit owners’ health: A ‘natural experiment’ in China. Social Indicators Research, 87(3), 481–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herzog, H. (2011). The impact of pets on human health and psychological well-being: Fact, fiction, or hypothesis? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(4), 236–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson, K., Barton, L., Darling, M., Antao, V., Kim, F. A., & Monavvari, A. (2015). Pets’ impact on your patients’ health: Leveraging benefits and mitigating risk. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 28(4), 526–534.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holcomb, R., Williams, R. C., & Richards, P.S. (1985). The elements of attachment: Relationship maintenance and intimacy. Journal of the Delta Society, 2(1), 28–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer, C. K., Mehmood, S., & Suen, R. S. (2019). Dog ownership and survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 12(10), e005554.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lentino, C., Visek, A. J., McDonnell, K., & DiPietro, L. (2012). Dog walking is associated with a favorable risk profile independent of a moderate to high volume of physical activity. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 9(3), 414–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, G. N., Allen, K., Braun, L. T., Christian, H. E., Friedmann, E., Taubert, K. A., … Lange, R. A. (2013). Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 127(23), 2353–2363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, R. A., Graham, F. P., Taylor, W. J., & Levack, W. M. M. (2018). Mechanisms of change for children participating in therapeutic horse riding: A grounded theory. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 38(5), 510–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCardle, P., McCune, S., Griffin, J. A., Esposito, L., & Freund, L. (2010). Animals in our lives: Human-Animal Interaction in Family, Community, & Therapeutic Settings. Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCardle, P., McCune, S., Griffin, J. A., Maholmes, V. (2010). How animals affect us. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • McColgan, G., & Schofield, I. (2007). The importance of companion animal relationships in the lives of older people. Nursing Older People, 19(1), 21–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCune, S., Kruger, K. A., Griffin, J. A., Esposito, L., Freund, L. S., Hurley, K. J., & Bures, R. (2014). Evolution of research into the mutual benefits of human–animal interaction. Animal Frontiers, 4(3), 49–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNicholas, J., & Collis, G. M. (2000). Dogs as catalysts for social interactions: Robustness of the effect. British Journal of Psychology, 91(1), 61–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McNicholas, J., Gilbey, A., Rennie, A., Ahmedzai, S., Dono, J. A., & Ormerod, E. (2005). Pet ownership and human health: A brief review of evidence and issues. BMJ, 331(7527), 1252–1254.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melson, G. F. (2003). Child development and the human-companion animal bond. American Behavioral Psychologist, 47, 31–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melson, G. F., & Fine, A. H. (2015). Animals in the lives of children. In Handbook on animal-assisted therapy (pp. 179–194). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, M. K., Gee, N. R., & Bures, R. M. (2018). Human-animal interaction as a social determinant of health: Descriptive findings from the health and retirement study. BMC Public Health, 18(1), 305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagengast, S., Baun, M., Megel, M., & Liebowitz, J. (1997). The effects of the presence of a companion animal of physiological arousal and behavioral distress in children. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 12, 323–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Haire, M. O., McKenzie, S. J., McCune, S., & Slaughter, V. (2013). Effects of animal-assisted activities with Guinea Pigs in the Primary School Classroom. Anthrozoos, 26(3), 445–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odendaal, J. S., & Meintjes, R. A. (2003). Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behavior between humans and dogs. Veterinary Journal, 165(3), 296–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohtani, N., Kitagawa, K., Mikami, K., Kitawaki, K., Akiyama, J., Fuchikami, M., … Ohta, M. (2017). horseback riding improves the ability to cause the appropriate action (go reaction) and the appropriate self-control (no-go reaction) in children. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parslow, R. A., Jorm, A. F., Christensen, H., Rodgers, B., & Jacomb, P. (2005). Pet ownership and health in older adults: Findings from a survey of 2,551 community-based Australians aged 60–64. Gerontology, 51(1), 40–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pendry, P., Carr, A. M., Smith, A. N., & Roeter, S. M. (2014). Improving adolescent social competence and behavior: A randomized trial of an 11-week equine facilitated learning prevention program. Journal of Primary Prevention, 35(4), 281–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pendry, P., Smith, A. N., & Roeter, S. M. (2014). Randomized trial examines effects of equine facilitated learning on adolescents’ basal cortisol levels. Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 2(1), 80–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redefer, L. A., & Goodman, J. F. (1989). Brief report: Pet-facilitated therapy with autistic children. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders, 19(3), 461–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reeves, M. J., Rafferty, A. P., Miller, C. E., & Lyon-Callo, S. K. (2011). The impact of dog walking on leisure-time physical activity: Results from a population-based survey of Michigan adults. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 8(3), 436–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rock, M., Mykhalovskiy, E., & Schlich, T. (2007). People, other animals and health knowledges: Towards a research agenda. Social Science and Medicine, 64(9), 1970–1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sable, P. (1995). Pets, attachment, and well-being across the life cycle. Social Work, 40(3), 334–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serpell, J., McCune, S., Gee, N., & Griffin, J. A. (2017). Current challenges to research on animal-assisted interventions. Applied Developmental Science, 21(3), 223–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2016.1262775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stallones, L., Marx, M. B., Garrity, T. F., & Johnson, T. P. (1990). Pet ownership and attachment in relation to the health of US adults, 21 to 64 years of age. Anthrozoös, 4(2), 100–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Timperio, A., Salmon, J., Chu, B., & Andrianopoulos, N. (2008). Is dog ownership or dog walking associated with weight status in children and their parents? Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 19, 60–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tourangeau, K., Nord, C., Lê, T., Wallner-Allen, K., Vaden-Kiernan, N., Blaker, L., & Najarian, M. (2018). Early childhood longitudinal study, Kindergarten Class of 2010–11 (ECLS-K:2011) User’s Manual for the ECLS-K:2011 Kindergarten–Fourth Grade Data File and Electronic Codebook, Public Version (NCES 2018-032). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utz, R. L. (2014). Walking the dog: The effect of pet ownership on human health and health behaviors. Social Indicators Research, 116(2), 327–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viau, R., Arsenault-Lapierre, G., Fecteau, S., Champage, N., Walker, C., & Lupien, S. (2010). Effect of service dogs on salivary cortisol secretion in autistic children. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 35(8), 1187–1193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, C. (1987). Physiological responses of college students to a pet. Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 175, 606–612.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, L., Giles-Corti, B., & Bulsara, M. (2005). The pet connection: Pets as a conduit for social capital? Social Science and Medicine, 61, 1159–1173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, L., Martin, K., Christian, H., Nathan, A., Lauritsen, C., Houghton, S., … McCune, S. (2015). The pet factor-companion animals as a conduit for getting to know people, friendship formation and social support. PloS ONE, 10(4), e0122085.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamasaki, J. (2018). The communicative role of companion pets in patient-centered critical care. Patient Education and Counseling, 101(5), 830–835.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zasloff, R. L. (1996). Measuring attachment to companion animals: A dog is not a cat is not a bird. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 47(1–2), 43–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Regina M. Bures, Layla Esposito & James A. Griffin

Authors
  1. Regina M. Bures
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Layla Esposito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. James A. Griffin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Bures, R.M., Esposito, L., Griffin, J.A. (2021). Health over the Life Course and Human-Animal Interaction. In: Well-Being Over the Life Course. SpringerBriefs in Well-Being and Quality of Life Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64085-9_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64085-9_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-64084-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-64085-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation