Effects of Pet Owning on Mental Health

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how pets can have an effect on the mental health of their owner. The paper also reviews literature related to this issue and how such effects of pet ownership include reduced loneliness, less depression, helping people to cope with stress, aiding childhood development and enhancing family life.

Contents:
Reducing Loneliness
Calming Effect of Pets
Overcoming Depression
Childhood Development
Enhancing Family Life
Which Pets Have the Greatest Effect on Mental Health
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Research shows that pets play a useful role in strengthening family relationships and are usually regarded as members of the family. They are associated with greater family cohesion and reducing family tensions due to their shared bond with all family members. Pets are often the subject of interest and discussion in the family and bring the family together through collective activities like taking walks together. As a result, pets contribute significantly to an increase in family happiness and fun. Pets are of particular importance during personal or family illness, death of friends and family members or a family crisis. For instance, they fill an important gap in a family's life when children grow up and move out, or a when a spouse leaves home after divorce. In such situations, they become even more a part of the family and fill an important emotional need of the parents or a lonely spouse."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allen, K. (1999). "The Healthy Pleasure of their Company: Companion Animals and Human Health." Delta Society.org. Retrieved on March 5, 2006 from http://www.deltasociety.org/TextOnly/dsz001.htm
• Bustad, L.K. (1996). "Recent Discoveries About Our Relationships With The Natural World." Delta Society.org. Retrieved on March 5, 2006 from http://www.deltasociety.org/TextOnly/AnimalsHealthGeneralDiscoveries.htm
• Duncan, S. L. (1995). "Loneliness: A Health Hazard of Modern Times." Delta Society.org Retrieved on March 5, 2006 from http://www.deltasociety.org/TextOnly/AnimalsHealthGeneralLonliness.htm
• Garrity, T. F., et. al. (1989). "Pet Ownership And Attachment As Supportive Factors In The Health Of The Elderly." Delta Society.org. Retrieved on March 5, 2006 from http://www.deltasociety.org/download/garrity.rtf
• Lynch, J. J. (2002). "Developing a Physiology of Inclusion: Recognizing the Health Benefits of Animal Companions" Delta Society.org Retrieved on March 5, 2006 from http://www.deltasociety.org/TextOnly/AnimalsHealthGeneralPhysiology.htm

More papers on Effects of Pet Owning on Mental Health:

• Essay # 68063 : "Unemployment and Its Effects on Mental Health"
• Analytical Essay # 55338 : "The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children"
• Term Paper # 143871 : "Effects Of The Internet On Society"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: