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Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca Purewal

    (Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK)

  • Robert Christley

    (Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK)

  • Katarzyna Kordas

    (Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
    School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK)

  • Carol Joinson

    (School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK)

  • Kerstin Meints

    (School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN6 7TS, UK)

  • Nancy Gee

    (Department of Psychology, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA
    WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leics LE14 4RT, UK)

  • Carri Westgarth

    (Institute of Infection and Global Health, and Institute of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE, UK)

Abstract

Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases which influence health and well-being across the life span. Social relationships are fundamental to child and adolescent development; yet studies have been limited to children’s relationships with other humans. This paper provides an evidence review for the potential associations between pet ownership and emotional; behavioural; cognitive; educational and social developmental outcomes. As the field is in the early stages; a broad set of inclusion criteria was applied. A systematic search of databases and grey literature sources found twenty-two studies meeting selection criteria. The review found evidence for an association between pet ownership and a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership; particularly for self-esteem and loneliness. The findings regarding childhood anxiety and depression were inconclusive. Studies also showed evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits; for example, in perspective-taking abilities and intellectual development. Evidence on behavioural development was unclear due to a lack of high quality research. Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play behaviour. Overall, pet ownership and the significance of children’s bonds with companion animals have been underexplored; there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in all outcomes. Prospective studies that control for a wide range of confounders are required.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Purewal & Robert Christley & Katarzyna Kordas & Carol Joinson & Kerstin Meints & Nancy Gee & Carri Westgarth, 2017. "Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-25, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:3:p:234-:d:91635
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Paul A.M. Overgaauw & Claudia M. Vinke & Marjan A.E. van Hagen & Len J.A. Lipman, 2020. "A One Health Perspective on the Human–Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-29, May.
    2. Kaori Endo & Syudo Yamasaki & Shuntaro Ando & Takefumi Kikusui & Kazutaka Mogi & Miho Nagasawa & Itsuka Kamimura & Junko Ishihara & Miharu Nakanishi & Satoshi Usami & Mariko Hiraiwa-Hasegawa & Kiyoto , 2020. "Dog and Cat Ownership Predicts Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Vivian Welch & Elizabeth Tanjong Ghogomu & Sierra Dowling & Victoria I. Barbeau & Ali A. A. Al‐Zubaidi & Ella Beveridge & Mostafa Bondok & Payaam Desai & Rebecca Doyle & Jimmy Huang & Tarannum Hussain, 2024. "In‐person interventions to reduce social isolation and loneliness: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), June.
    4. Emily Shoesmith & Lion Shahab & Dimitra Kale & Daniel S. Mills & Catherine Reeve & Paul Toner & Luciana Santos de Assis & Elena Ratschen, 2021. "The Influence of Human–Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Machiko Minatoya & Atsuko Ikeda-Araki & Chihiro Miyashita & Sachiko Itoh & Sumitaka Kobayashi & Keiko Yamazaki & Yu Ait Bamai & Yasuaki Saijo & Yukihiro Sato & Yoshiya Ito & Reiko Kishi & The Japan En, 2021. "Association between Early Life Child Development and Family Dog Ownership: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, July.
    6. Rikako Sato & Takeo Fujiwara & Shiho Kino & Nobutoshi Nawa & Ichiro Kawachi, 2019. "Pet Ownership and Children’s Emotional Expression: Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Longitudinal Data from Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-12, March.
    7. Kristina Byström & Patrik Grahn & Caroline Hägerhäll, 2019. "Vitality from Experiences in Nature and Contact with Animals—A Way to Develop Joint Attention and Social Engagement in Children with Autism?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-36, November.
    8. Kristina Byström & Björn Wrangsjö & Patrik Grahn, 2022. "COMSI ® —A Form of Treatment That Offers an Opportunity to Play, Communicate and Become Socially Engaged through the Lens of Nature—A Single Case Study about an 8-Year-Old Boy with Autism and Intellec," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-25, December.
    9. Machiko Minatoya & Atsuko Araki & Chihiro Miyashita & Sachiko Itoh & Sumitaka Kobayashi & Keiko Yamazaki & Yu Ait Bamai & Yasuaki Saijyo & Yoshiya Ito & Reiko Kishi & The Japan Environment and Childre, 2019. "Cat and Dog Ownership in Early Life and Infant Development: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of Japan Environment and Children’s Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, December.
    10. Shelby E. McDonald & Camie A. Tomlinson & Jennifer W. Applebaum & Sara W. Moyer & Samantha M. Brown & Sue Carter & Patricia A. Kinser, 2021. "Human–Animal Interaction and Perinatal Mental Health: A Narrative Review of Selected Literature and Call for Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-26, September.

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