Introduction. Previous cross-sectional and qualitative studies suggest that pet ownership in childhood and adolescence may be associated with improved emotional health, but this relationship should be investigated in large, well-designed studies. We examine the association between pet ownership and self-esteem in middle childhood (age 8), and anxious and depressive symptoms at ages 7, 10 and 13 years.
Methodology. 13,954 children born to mothers in a UK birth cohort study (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, ALSPAC) were surveyed. Emotional problems were assessed via parent-completed (7 years) and child-completed (10 and 13 years) validated questionnaires (The Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) and short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)); self-esteem was measured at research clinics using the shortened version of Harter’s Self Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). Pet ownership data were collected by carer questionnaire at and below age 10, and retrospectively via self-report questionnaire at age 13 years. Associations were examined using logistic regression. Analyses were adjusted for sex, sociodemographic background, developmental delay, and stressful life events.
Results. There was little evidence of an association between pet ownership and emotional health outcomes before and after adjustment for confounding factors. Owning pets in general (odds ratio .85, 95% CI .73–.98; p=0·03) and owning cats (.83, 95% CI .73–.94; p=0·01) was associated with lower likelihood of having a normal/high self-esteem in scholastic competence. Owning pets (1·31, 95% CI 1·03–1.67; p=0·03) and ‘other’ pets (horses, and pets other than dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish and small rodents) (1.28, 95% CI 1.04–1.57; p=0·02) was associated with higher likelihood of social anxiety symptoms at age 7. Pet ownership was not associated with global self-worth, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder or depressive symptomology.
Conclusions. This study provided no evidence for any association between pet ownership and positive emotional health as measured by the above tools, and demonstrates the importance of using large, well-designed longitudinal studies controlling for key confounders. Further longitudinal investigation is required to determine the potential impact of pet attachment and the quality of the child–animal relationship on the development and/or reduction of emotional health problems in childhood and adolescence.