Dataset Information

Relationship between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Only few longitudinal studies with high risk of bias have examined relationship between pets and adolescents' mental health.

Methods

Our prospective cohort study followed depression-free US adolescents aged 12-18, enrolled in the Growing Up Today Study from pet ownership assessment in 1999 to possible occurrence of high depressive symptoms defined based on the McKnight Risk Factor Survey between 2001 and 2003. Propensity-score-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized estimating equation models.

Results

Among 9631 adolescents [42.4 % male, mean age 14.9 years (SD 1.6)], we found no association between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms (OR_{any_pet} = 1.14; 95%CI, 0.95-1.38). Stratified analyses revealed no evidence of effect modification by sex, but effect modification by maternal history of depression (depressed mothers OR_{any_pet} = 0.83; 95 % CI: 0.58-1.19, non-depressed mothers OR_{any_pet} = 1.27; 95 % CI: 1.02-1.58; P_intx = 0.03), which differed further by children's sex. Effects were more pronounced among children with a history of childhood abuse (OR_{any_pet} = 0.41 (0.14-1.15); P_intx ≤0.03). No major differences by type of pet owned were observed in any of these analyses.

Limitations

Our sample is predominantly white and all are offspring of nurses with a similar academic background which could affect generalizability.

Conclusions

Overall, we found no association between pet ownership and depression during adolescence, however subgroup analyses indicated some individuals may benefit from a pet. Future longitudinal studies with more detailed exposure assessments, including pet attachment are needed to further explore the potential of human-animal interaction on mental health.

SUBMITTER: Zebrowska M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9839520 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Relationship between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood.

Żebrowska Magdalena M Strohmaier Susanne S Westgarth Carri C Huttenhower Curtis C Erber Astrid C AC Haghayegh Shahab S Eliassen A Heather AH Huang Tianyi T Laden Francine F Hart Jaime E JE Rosner Bernard B Kawachi Ichiro I Chavarro Jorge E JE Okereke Olivia I OI Schernhammer Eva S ES

Journal of affective disorders 20221201

<h4>Background</h4>Only few longitudinal studies with high risk of bias have examined relationship between pets and adolescents' mental health.<h4>Methods</h4>Our prospective cohort study followed depression-free US adolescents aged 12-18, enrolled in the Growing Up Today Study from pet ownership assessment in 1999 to possible occurrence of high depressive symptoms defined based on the McKnight Risk Factor Survey between 2001 and 2003. Propensity-score-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confide ...[more]

PMID: 36464093

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Project description:ImportanceDepressive symptoms have increased among US adolescents since 2010. It remains unclear as to what extent this increase will persist into young adulthood, potentially turning the youth mental health crisis into a young adult mental health crisis.ObjectiveTo test the association between birth cohort and adolescent depressive symptoms at ages 18, 19 to 20, and 21 to 22 years and changes in these symptoms by cohort.Design, setting, and participantsThis panel cohort study analyzed data from the Monitoring the Future longitudinal survey from 1990 to 2019, including birth cohorts from 1972 to 2001. Survey respondents were recruited from US high schools in 12th grade and were approximately aged 18 years (at baseline) through age 21 to 22 years (during mail and web follow-up). Data analysis was conducted from April to October 2023.ExposureDepressive symptoms score (>12 vs ≤12, with >12 representing top-decile scores) on a scale examining affective items (eg, "Life often seems meaningless").Main outcomes and measuresHigh (vs lower) depressive symptoms at ages 19 to 20 years and 21 to 22 years.ResultsThe 36 552 respondents included 18 597 females (50.5%), and most reported having a parent who graduated from college (44.8%). Among females, 19.1% (95% CI, 16.7%-21.4%) of the most recent birth cohort (born: 1997-2001) had high depressive symptoms at age 18 years, higher than any previous birth cohort. While prevalence declined by age 21 to 22 years, it remained higher than previous cohorts at that age. Among males, 13.4% (95% CI, 11.2%-15.6%) of the most recent birth cohort had high depressive symptoms at age 18 years, and prevalence increased through young adulthood. Males with high baseline depressive symptoms had 10.24 (95% CI, 7.01-14.97) times the odds of symptoms at age 19 to 20 years and 6.20 (95% CI, 3.93-9.78) times the odds of symptoms at age 21 to 22 years. Females with high baseline depressive symptoms had 9.16 (95% CI, 6.57-12.76) times the odds of symptoms at age 19 to 20 years and 7.28 (95% CI, 4.92-10.78) times the odds of symptoms at age 21 to 22 years. The magnitude of the associations did not vary over time. Population attributable fractions indicated that the total proportion of young adult symptoms associated with depressive symptoms at age 18 years among females has increased; in the most recent birth cohort, 55.25% (95% CI, 38.11%-65.13%) of depressive symptoms at age 21 to 22 years were associated with symptoms at age 18 years.Conclusions and relevanceThis panel cohort study found that increases in depressive symptoms in adolescence persisted into young adulthood, suggesting the need for primary prevention and mental health resources during the adolescent years.

Dataset Information

Relationship between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood.

Background

Methods

Results

Limitations

Conclusions

Publications

Relationship between pet ownership and risk of high depressive symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood.

Similar Datasets

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