Urban Stress Alleviated by Interaction with Dogs and Petting
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of Ulm, it has been found that contact with pets may significantly reduce the risk of stress-related disorders in urban children, as they grow into adults. The study, conducted by the Section of Molecular Psychosomatics at the university clinic, along with colleagues from Germany and the US, involved 40 healthy city dwellers aged 18 to 65.
The participants were divided into two groups: those who grew up without pets and those who lived with a dog or cat for at least 5 years. The study did not specify which specific types of pets were included, nor did it disclose the methodology or sample size used in the research.
The study's findings suggest that living with animals can mitigate inflammatory stress responses. Conditions like a disrupted gut barrier function were less common among participants who had pets. The immune system of participants who had pets also reacted better in the study.
The study's conclusion was summarized in a statement from the University of Ulm, with Katja Weimer, a co-author of the study, stating that contact with pets seems to reduce the risk of developing stress-related disorders. The study's findings support what dog owners and cat lovers have long intuitively suspected.
However, it's important to note that the study did not mention any potential negative effects of pet ownership on stress-related disorders. The study also did not reveal the duration of the study or the follow-up period for the urban children involved.
For more information about the study, you can contact Christoph Müller, one of the researchers involved, using the provided contact details. Co-author of the study Dr. Sabine Peters was also instrumental in identifying the benefits of animal contact for stress protection in urban adults during childhood.
While the study provides promising insights, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of pet ownership on stress-related disorders in urban children. As the world becomes increasingly urbanised, understanding these effects could have significant implications for public health and wellbeing.
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