Repository logo
 
Publication

How do older adults experience pet companionship? A qualitative study of the affective relationship with pets and its effect on the mental health of older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic

dc.contributor.authorvon Humboldt, Sofia
dc.contributor.authorSilva, Sara
dc.contributor.authorLeal, Isabel Maria Pereira
dc.date.accessioned2024-04-05T14:15:13Z
dc.date.available2024-04-05T14:15:13Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractThis study aimed to explore the affective relationship of older adults with their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to assess how this contributed to their mental health. This qualitative study included 351 participants aged 65–88 years from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain. All interviews went through content analysis. Findings indicated five themes: (1) Enabling a meaningful affective relationship (86%); (2) Strengthening affective sharing with partner (68%); (3) Easing new affective relationships (61%); (4) Enhancing sensory stimuli and physical touch (55%); and; (5) Feeling physical pleasure (23%). Three main themes emerged from the content analysis regarding the second objective: (1) Fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms (73%); (2) Fewer feelings of loneliness (68%); and (3) Fewer mood swings (43%). The affective relationship between older adults and their pets was relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic since it solidified affective relationships with their partners and fostered the creation of new relationships. Additionally, it contributed to a deeper affective relationship with themselves, in terms of sensory stimuli, physical touch, and physical pleasure. Owning a pet improved mental health symptoms, namely those associated with depression, anxiety, and mood swings.pt_PT
dc.description.sponsorshipFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTpt_PT
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionpt_PT
dc.identifier.citationvon Humboldt, S., Leal, I., & Silva, S. (2024). How do older adults experience pet companionship? A qualitative study of the affective relationship with pets and its effect on the mental health of older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. Educational Gerontology. https://doi.org/10.1080/03601277.2024.2321086pt_PT
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/03601277.2024.2321086pt_PT
dc.identifier.issn03601277
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/9713
dc.language.isoengpt_PT
dc.peerreviewedyespt_PT
dc.publisherRoutledgept_PT
dc.relationSFRH/BPD/116114/2016pt_PT
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/pt_PT
dc.titleHow do older adults experience pet companionship? A qualitative study of the affective relationship with pets and its effect on the mental health of older adults during the Covid-19 pandemicpt_PT
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.conferencePlaceUnited Kingdompt_PT
oaire.citation.endPage12pt_PT
oaire.citation.startPage1pt_PT
oaire.citation.titleEducational Gerontologypt_PT
person.familyNamevon Humboldt
person.familyNameLeal
person.givenNameSofia
person.givenNameIsabel
person.identifier.ciencia-idC616-1C7E-4A02
person.identifier.orcid0000-0001-9664-6735
person.identifier.orcid0000-0003-1060-4783
rcaap.rightsrestrictedAccesspt_PT
rcaap.typearticlept_PT
relation.isAuthorOfPublication5af79b04-8ce2-4011-af50-0395506cc56f
relation.isAuthorOfPublication2c1e62cd-f27d-4012-9016-9372aa26a345
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery5af79b04-8ce2-4011-af50-0395506cc56f

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Educational Gerontology.pdf
Size:
375.31 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.61 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: