Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Purewal, R and Christley, R and Kordas, K and Joinson, C and Meints, K and Gee, N and Westgarth, C

International Journal of Environmental Reseasrch and Public Health (2017) 14:

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14030234

Abstract

Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases which influence health and well-being across the life span. Social relationships are fundamental to child and adolescent development; yet studies have been limited to children’s relationships with other humans. This paper provides an evidence review for the potential associations between pet ownership and emotional; behavioural; cognitive; educational and social developmental outcomes. As the field is in the early stages; a broad set of inclusion criteria was applied. A systematic search of databases and grey literature sources found twenty-two studies meeting selection criteria. The review found evidence for an association between pet ownership and a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership; particularly for self-esteem and loneliness. The findings regarding childhood anxiety and depression were inconclusive. Studies also showed evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits; for example, in perspective-taking abilities and intellectual development. Evidence on behavioural development was unclear due to a lack of high quality research. Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play behaviour. Overall, pet ownership and the significance of children’s bonds with companion animals have been underexplored; there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in all outcomes. Prospective studies that control for a wide range of confounders are required.

Citation

Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C., Meints, K., Gee, N., & Westgarth, C. (2017). Companion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. International Journal of Environmental Reseasrch and Public Health, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14030234 Animals, Children, Adolescent Development, Human-animal interaction, Pet ownership

Keywords

• Animals
• Children
• Adolescent Development
• Human-animal interaction
• Pet ownership