Protective Effects of Companion Animals When Faced With Social Loss in Later Life: Findings From the Hrs
Year: 2018
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: As we age, we become increasingly likely to experience major social losses such as a spouse or a family member due to loss of contact, divorce, or death. In such circumstances, companion animals (CA) may buffer negative effects of such losses. This study uses propensity score methods to adjust for factors are associated with selection into CA ownership and examine the potential role of having a CA at the time of a major social loss. Results show a protective effect of CA at the time of social loss with respect to depressive symptoms and functional limitations. Specifically, those who experienced a loss and did not have a CA experienced significantly larger increases (ATE=0.865, p<0.001) in depressive symptoms and functional limitations (ATE=0.54, p<0.05) relative to the control group (i.e., those without CA or social loss). Increases were not experienced by those with a CA. Implications of these findings will be discussed.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Authors: D C Carr, N Sachs-Ericsson, M Taylor, N R Gee
Institutions: Florida State University, SUNY Fredonia
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2899952023