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The Effect of Mental Activation of One’s Pet Dog on Stress Reactivity

Author

Listed:
  • Kerri E. Rodriguez

    (Human-Animal Bond in Colorado, School of Social Work, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Dan J. Graham

    (Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
    Colorado School of Public Health, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Rachel G. Lucas-Thompson

    (Colorado School of Public Health, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
    Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

Abstract

Research suggests that mental activation of human social support may reduce stress reactivity. However, the extent to which social support from pets elicits a similar effect has been less explored. This study aims to determine whether the mental activation of one’s pet dog reduces stress reactivity to a subsequent experimental stressor. In a 2 × 2 design, 132 dog-owning participants (M age = 20.14; 80% female) were randomly assigned to one of two mental activation conditions (pet dog; general) and one of two stressor conditions (social-evaluative; cognitive). Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVAs with self-reported (positive/negative affect, negative self-evaluation) and physiological (blood pressure, heart rate) dependent variables. Results indicated that participants randomized to the pet dog mental activation condition had smaller decreases in positive affect from baseline to post-stressor compared to the general mental activation condition. However, there were no significant interactions between time and mental activation condition on negative affect, negative self-evaluation, heart rate, or blood pressure. Thus, the mental activation of one’s pet dog had a minimal effect on stress reactivity to a cognitive or social-evaluative stressor. Results suggest that the physical presence of an animal may be an essential mechanism underlying the benefits of animal-derived social support.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerri E. Rodriguez & Dan J. Graham & Rachel G. Lucas-Thompson, 2023. "The Effect of Mental Activation of One’s Pet Dog on Stress Reactivity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:21:p:6995-:d:1270169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alexandra J. Fiocco & Anastasia M. Hunse, 2017. "The Buffer Effect of Therapy Dog Exposure on Stress Reactivity in Undergraduate Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-11, June.
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