Relationship between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Only few longitudinal studies with high risk of bias have examined relationship between pets and adolescents' mental health.

Methods

Our prospective cohort study followed depression-free US adolescents aged 12-18, enrolled in the Growing Up Today Study from pet ownership assessment in 1999 to possible occurrence of high depressive symptoms defined based on the McKnight Risk Factor Survey between 2001 and 2003. Propensity-score-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized estimating equation models.

Results

Among 9631 adolescents [42.4 % male, mean age 14.9 years (SD 1.6)], we found no association between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms (OR_{any_pet} = 1.14; 95%CI, 0.95-1.38). Stra

SUBMITTER: Zebrowska M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9839520 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature