Latest news with #JuditMokos
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Dog ownership doesn't lead to happiness
Owning a dog doesn't make a person happy. A major new study has cast doubt on the 'pet effect' theory that those who surround themselves with pooches get a boost in terms of health and happiness. Research involving 3,000 Hungarians during Covid lockdowns found that while new dog owners saw a small initial burst of cheer, it faded fast. Over time, levels of calmness, contentment, and activity actually dropped - and feelings of loneliness weren't cured. In fact, many who owned canines said that they felt more anxious as a result of caring for their pets. Judit Mokos, one of the first authors of the study at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest, said: "What surprised me most was that a new pet in the household had no effect on the respondents' loneliness. "Dog adoption is often promoted as a solution for elderly and/or lonely people. Shelters and pet food companies promote adoption as a means of alleviating loneliness. "However, our research suggests that dogs do not provide a real solution to loneliness; rather, they make the new owners more anxious."
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Sorry, Fido: New evidence suggests pet ownership may not be as beneficial to health as we thought
Your furry friend might not be the answer to a ruff life. Canine companionship has long been touted as a remedy for people seeking comfort and connection, particularly when pandemic-era lockdowns kept millions apart. But new research suggests that even in times of extreme social isolation, having a pet doesn't always improve well-being — and sometimes, it makes it worse. Advertisement 5 Studies show 65.1 million American households own at least one dog. – The study analyzed data from nearly 3,000 Hungarians, collected over several months in 2020 by researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. Among the participants, 65 acquired a pet while 75 lost one, prompting the team to examine how these changes affected their well-being over time. The results? Not exactly tail-wagging. Advertisement Researchers found new pet owners experienced a short-lived boost in cheerfulness after bringing a dog home — but that initial high didn't last. Over time, their calmness, life satisfaction, cheerfulness and activity levels dropped. 5 Interacting with a dog has previously been shown to lower levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone. Svetlana – Advertisement 'What surprised me most was that new pet in the household had no effect on the respondents' loneliness,' Judit Mokos, a data scientist and one of the paper's first authors, said in a statement. 'Our research suggests that dogs do not provide a real solution to loneliness; rather, they make the new owners more anxious,' she added. Even more surprising: losing a pet didn't affect the well-being of their former owners. Advertisement 'It appears that, at least during stressful periods, the average person, who may not be the primary caregiver but simply shares a household with the pet, is not significantly affected by the pet's loss, nor is their well-being a strong predictor of the decision to acquire one,' said Ádám Miklósi, who initiated the data collection on companion animals. These findings cast doubt on earlier studies suggesting dog ownership offers a wide range of health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, building social connections, increasing physical activity and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. 5 Research suggests the companionship of dogs isn't a complete replacement for human social interaction. yurakrasil – 'Based on the data, most people living together with a companion animal do not seem to experience any long-term 'pet effect,' nor do they bond strongly with their animal,' said Eniko Kubinyi, head of the MTA-ELTE 'Momentum' Companion Animals Research Group. 'It is possible that the dynamics of the pandemic have led many to make impulsive choices against their long-term interest, or that only certain groups — like devoted animal lovers or older adults living alone — truly benefit from pets in stressful times,' she added. The loneliness epidemic Loneliness became a bigger problem during the coronavirus pandemic, but studies suggest half of American adults had already experienced it before the outbreak. 5 Millions of Americans are affected by depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges. Tinnakorn – And the social fallout didn't end when lockdowns did. Research shows that many people, especially teens, young adults and seniors, continued to spend more time at home and less time socializing than before the public health crisis. Advertisement In fact, a 2024 study by the American Psychiatric Association found that 30% of adults felt lonely at least once a week last year, with 10% battling loneliness every single day. That's a bigger problem than many realize. Studies show chronic loneliness can increase the risk of premature death as much as 15 cigarettes a day. It's linked to heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, inflammation and a weakened immune system. Loneliness is also strongly associated with depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem. Advertisement In 2023, then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared that 'loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country' are an 'epidemic' and a 'public health crisis.' 5 The loneliness epidemic has affected older adults in particular. Angelov – At last year's Aspen Ideas Festival, Murthy shared three simple daily actions to help Americans rebuild their social connections. Advertisement First, spend 15 minutes each day reaching out to someone you care about. 'We have built this cultural narrative over the years that success is about being independent and being independent is about not needing anyone,' Murthy said. 'That is something we fundamentally have to change.' Second, when you're with others, shelve distractions and give them your full attention. 'Five minutes of being fully present with someone in conversation is more powerful than 30 minutes of distracted conversation,' he explained. Advertisement Finally, make daily acts of service a priority. 'Service is a very powerful antidote to loneliness, because it not only helps us connect — whether it's in the act of helping one person or helping a community — but it reminds us that we have value to bring to the world,' Murthy said.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Pawful news for dog owners: Owning a pooch does NOT make you happier – and can actually make you more anxious, vets say
Most dog owners will proclaim that getting their four-legged friend was one of the best decisions they ever made. But a new study casts doubt on this 'pet effect' - the hypothesised boost in health and happiness for those who surround themselves with cats, dogs and other companion animals. As part of the study, researchers examined the short and long-term effects of getting a new pet during the Covid pandemic. And it's bad news for dog owners – as analysis reveals little support for the romanticised view we hold of 'man's best friend'. While pet acquisition did provide an initial boost to cheerfulness, this only lasted up to four months. And over a longer period, getting a new pet - especially a dog - was actually linked to a reduction in calmness, activity, cheerfulness and life satisfaction. Surprisingly, the researchers also found that losing a pet did not appear to leave a mark on the wellbeing of owners. And they warned that the demands of pet care can 'outweigh initial benefits'. The study involved 65 people who acquired a pet, and 75 who lost a pet, in Hungary during the pandemic. Participants were asked to answer questionnaires on wellbeing over six months, and the scientists compared answers from before and after pets were bought, as well as after any pets died. Judit Mokos, one of the study's first authors from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, said: 'What surprised me most was that a new pet in the household had no effect on the respondents' loneliness. 'Dog adoption is often promoted as a solution for elderly and/or lonely people. Shelters and pet food companies promote adoption as a means of alleviating loneliness. 'However, our research suggests that dogs do not provide a real solution to loneliness; rather, they make the new owners more anxious.' The team said one possible reason that the initial boost in cheerfulness is so short-lived is that prospective owners often have strong expectations about the positive impact of living with an animal. For the first few months these initial expectations, combined with the novelty effect of the pet, may 'mask emerging challenges'. 'However, as the novelty fades, unmet expectations and associated difficulties may negatively impact the owner's wellbeing,' they said. Acquiring a cat was also found to negatively impact activity levels, suggesting that new cat owners spent more time at home. However, cat owners remained more active than dog owners, possibly because newly-acquired dogs are more challenging to leave at home compared to cats.' Eniko Kubinyi, another of the study's authors, added: 'Based on the data, most people, living together with a companion animal, do not seem to experience any long-term 'pet effect', nor do they bond strongly with their animal. 'It is possible that the dynamics of the pandemic have led many to make impulsive choices against their long-term interest, or that only certain groups—like devoted animal lovers or older adults living alone—truly benefit from pets in stressful times.' Writing in the journal Scientific Reports the team added: 'These findings challenge the widely held belief that pet acquisition leads to lasting improvements in well-being, suggesting instead that the demands of pet care—especially for dogs—can outweigh initial benefits.' It's possible that vet bills, restrictions on travel and disobedience issues could be behind the anxiety linked to having a dog. Despite the findings previous research, carried out by the same university, has found that dog owners rate their bond with their pet as more satisfying than their relationships with their friends, partners and even their children. A survey of 700 owners revealed that they felt their dog loves them more than anyone else and is also their best source of companionship. A separate study, carried out by the University of Kent, found that having a pet boosts your mood as much as an additional £70,000 a year would. In good news for singletons, the team also found that the benefits of pet ownership are equivalent to those gained from marriage. Dr Adelina Gschwandtner, lead author of the study, said: 'This research answers the question whether overall pet companions are good for us with a resounding 'Yes'. 'Pets care for us and there is a significant monetary value associated with their companionship.' WHAT ARE THE TEN COMMONLY HELD MYTHS ABOUT DOGS? It is easy to believe that dogs like what we like, but this is not always strictly true. Here are ten things which people should remember when trying to understand their pets, according to Animal behaviour experts Dr Melissa Starling and Dr Paul McGreevy, from the University of Sydney. 1. Dogs don't like to share 2. Not all dogs like to be hugged or patted 3. A barking dog is not always an aggressive dog 4. Dogs do not like other dogs entering their territory/home 5. Dogs like to be active and don't need as much relaxation time as humans 6. Not all dogs are overly friendly, some are shyer to begin with 7. A dog that appears friendly can soon become aggressive 8. Dogs need open space and new areas to explore. Playing in the garden won't always suffice 9. Sometimes a dog isn't misbehaving, it simply does not understand what to do or what you want 10. Subtle facial signals often preempt barking or snapping when a dog is unhappy
