Does Viewing a Picture of a Pet During a Mental Arithmetic Task Lower Stress Levels?. (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ein, Natalie; Hadad, Marilyn; Reed, Maureen J.; Vickers, Kristin
• Is Part Of: Anthrozoös. Volume 32:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 519
• Page End: 532
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: anxiety -- blood pressure -- human–animal interaction -- pet -- pulse -- stress -- stressor; Food -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Nutrition policy -- Periodicals; 636.0887
• DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2019.1621524
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-7936

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Pets can reduce stress in their owner; however, they are not always permitted in public and institutional places. This study examined the impact of people viewing a picture of their pet versus other images on stress levels. One hundred and twenty participants were randomly assigned to one of six conditions. These involved completing a mental arithmetic task while viewing a picture of either their personal pet; an unfamiliar animal; a familiar, supportive person; a stranger; a pleasant image of nature; or no image. Stress was measured through subjective and physiological methods. For participants, viewing a picture of their pet did not reduce their stress response to the task, while viewing a picture of a familiar, supportive person increased the stress response, relative to the controls. Post-stressor, participants in the personal-pet condition rated the picture as making them feel more relaxed, compared with the other conditions. Active interaction with a pet may be required to reduce stress.