Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY & ANIMAL SCIENCES, cilt.48, sa.4, ss.180-189, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
The common consensus is that owning pets affects human health positively. However, the effects of owning pets on mental health are still controversial. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the possible association with anxiety (AN), depression (DE), stress (ST), and owning cats and dogs in T & uuml;rkiye. Additionally, the potential impact of personality traits on this relationship was examined. This study included 636 participants, of whom 52% were female (M-age = 33.02, SD = 15.78). Data were obtained using a Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 and the Big Five Personality Inventory. The findings revealed that owning cats and dogs was a promotive factor against AN (p < 0.001), DE (p < 0.01), and ST (p < 0.01) in the Turkish population. Among sociodemographic variables, marital status was found to be a risk factor for AN (p < 0.05) and DE (p < 0.05). Moreover, among the five personality traits, agreeableness (AGR) was determined to be a promotive factor in opposition to AN, DE, and ST. At the same time, openness (OPE) and neuroticism (NEU) were detected as risk factors. The results suggest that owning cats and dogs can provide benefits to human psychology. This result particularly applies to single women with a strong bond with their pets.