Family Bonds with Pets and Mental Health during COVID-19 in Australia: A Complex Picture.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the health-promoting features of human-animal relationships, particularly for families with children. Despite this, the World Health Organization's (1986) Ottawa Charter remains human-centric. Given the reciprocal health impacts of human-animal relationships, this paper aims to (i) describe perceived pet-related benefits, worries, and family activities; and to (ii) examine differences in perceived benefits, worries, and activities for parents and children with and without clinical mental health symptoms. We recruited 1034 Australian parents with a child < 18 years and a cat or dog via a national online survey between July and October 2020. Most parents reported their pet was helpful for their own (78%) and their child's mental health (80%). Adju

SUBMITTER: Bennetts SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10094414 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature