1. Pets, Social Participation, and Aging-in-Place: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
- Author
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Toohey AM, Hewson JA, Adams CL, and Rock MJ
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Canada, Case-Control Studies, Female, Humans, Independent Living psychology, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Odds Ratio, Surveys and Questionnaires, Ownership statistics & numerical data, Personal Satisfaction, Pets, Social Participation
- Abstract
ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to assess whether pet ownership contributes to social participation and life satisfaction for older adults. We used baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) for this purpose, and logistic regression models to estimate associations between social participation and life satisfaction for pet owners and non-owners. One third of all older adults (≥ 65 years, n = 7,474) in our sample reported pet ownership. Pet owners were less likely than non-pet owners to report life satisfaction and to participate frequently in social, recreational, or cultural activities, but pet owners were no less satisfied than were non-owners with their current levels of social participation. For pet owners experiencing barriers to social participation, pets appeared protective of life satisfaction in some circumstances. Both individual characteristics and structural factors linked to the World Health Organization's age-friendly communities framework were relevant to understanding these findings.
- Published
- 2018
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