Exploring the dual effects of pet ownership on mental health outcomes in Chinese patients with chronic diseases: A population-based study

Abstract

Background: Mental health is more vulnerable among chronic disease patients. However, the relationship between pet ownership and their psychological well-being remains uncertain in China.

Methods: Using multi-stage stratified sampling, 8986 patients with chronic disease were surveyed from July to September 2024. Mental health was assessed with the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Social Isolation Scale (SIS), and a self-developed composite Z-score index. Generalized linear models were employed to examine the associations between pet ownership and mental health outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results: The pet ownership was positively associated with depression (β = 0.47, 95 %CI: 0.18 to 0.76, p < 0.01) and anxiety (β = 0.26, 95 %CI: 0.05 to 0.48, p < 0.05), yet negatively associated with isolation (β = -0.85, 95 %CI: -1.10 to -0.59, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, comparable associations were observed among patients living with others and those with multimorbidity. Notably, rural patients showed a significant negative association with isolation (β = -0.86, 95 %CI: -1.14 to -0.59, p < 0.001). Both dog and bird ownership were associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and composite mental health Z-score.

Conclusion: Pet ownership is associated with lower levels of isolation, higher levels of depression and anxiety among patients with chronic disease in China. Public health initiatives should be enhanced to better support the optimization of benefits and the reduction of burdens associated with pet ownership.

Keywords: Anxiety; Chronic disease; Depression; Isolation; Mental health; Pet ownership.