Pets can have the same psychological effect on people as marriage - research
Kyiv • UNN
Studies have shown that interacting with pets has a psychological effect similar to marriage. Having a pet increases life satisfaction, as does meeting friends.
New research from the University of Kent has shown that communicating with pets such as dogs or cats can have the same psychological effect as getting married. This is reported by Independent, writes UNN.
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According to a new study, as reported by the media, returning home after a hard day's work where you are greeted with joy by a dog can be as pleasant as returning to a real human partner.
Researchers at the University of Kent have found that raising a furry friend, such as a cat or dog, can have a similar psychological effect to getting married.
A study of 2,500 British families found that having a pet is associated with a 3-4 point increase in life satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 7, comparable to the values obtained from regular meetings with friends and relatives.
Dr. Adelina Gschwandtner of the University of Kent, the lead author of the new study, told The Times that she was inspired by an article assessing human friendships.
I thought, "Well, if it's possible for friends, why not do it for pets?
"Given that many people consider pets to be their best friends and family members, these values seem plausible... I also suspect that many people don't really realize how important their pets are to them," she added.
It is known that people who walk their dogs regularly improve their cardiovascular system, and having a cat in the house can reduce the risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis in children exposed to pet allergens.
Simply stroking our pets can lower the level of the stress hormone cortisol in our body, which causes calm and thus has a positive effect on our blood pressure and reduces the likelihood of developing clinical depression.
Dr. Gschwandtner added: "This study gives a clear "Yes" answer to the question of whether pets are good for us.
The study was a follow-up to the 2022 "Pets at Home" study, which found that more than a quarter of people surveyed preferred to see their pets rather than their partners after a day's work.
