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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an association between pet ownership and the reported level of stress among college students. The additional variables investigated were the students' academic achievement, their age, gender and school term. To this day, most research into the probable correlation between owning a pet and an individual's stress level focused on the elderly. However, young people, especially students, can experience equally severe stress levels. Such students may be at elevated risk for poor academic performance and the onset of anxiety or depression. The method used in the study was a crosssectional survey, conducted between June 7 and December 13 2016. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) and statistical significance set at p = 0.05 if not stated otherwise. The measures were tested with Wilcoxon's two-tailed rank sum and Spearman's rank. 187 of 780 veterinary students completed the survey, 87% of them were female. 39% of them had at least one pet and the median self-reported stress level was 7 out of 10. Pet ownership was significantly associated with stress level (p = 0.02, Spearman's rank correlation -0.17), increased age and later term in school. However, there was no correlation between pet ownership or stress and gender or academic success. Additionally, the number, type and effects of pets on stress were investigated. The study affirms the negative association between pet ownership and stress among college students and thus has implications for further research in this field amid younger people.
Keywords: Pet ownership, university students, stress
Introduction
The role of animal companionship in stress management has gained scientific attention in recent years. Owning a dog appeared to buffer elderly people against the effects of stressful life events (1), and at least one study found dog ownership was more effective than standard drug therapy for stressinduced hypertension (2). Likewise, dog owners were less depressed than non-owners following bereavement (3) especially if they had few or no human confidants. Some of these associations may be mediated by better self-care, including increased physical activity, among dog owners in particular (4), and/ or reverse confounding, with pet owners generally healthier and younger than non-owners (5). However, the association also exists in prospective studies: dog owners who had...