How does dog ownership impact teenagers' social problems?

Adolescents who own dogs show significantly lower social problems compared to those who do not own dogs.

What benefits do dog owners experience as they grow older?

Individuals who owned a dog during adolescence scored higher on measures of companionship and social support as they aged.

Is there a biological reason for improved social behavior in teen dog owners?

Researchers are exploring differences in the microbiome of children who own dogs, which may be partly responsible for improvements in adolescents' social behavior.

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Dogs Boost Teen Mental Health: Study Finds

28 Jan

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Summary

Dog owners among teens showed significantly lower social problems.
Adolescents with dogs scored higher on companionship measures.
Microbiome differences in dog owners may impact social behavior.

Dogs Boost Teen Mental Health: Study Finds

Adolescent mental health may be significantly improved by the presence of a dog, according to a study conducted in Japan. Researchers observed 343 teenagers and found that those who owned dogs exhibited higher overall well-being and fewer social problems compared to their non-dog-owning peers.

The study, which focused on adolescents in Tokyo, noted that dog ownership was associated with lower scores in areas such as social withdrawal, thought problems, and delinquent behavior. Furthermore, individuals who had dogs during their formative years reported higher levels of companionship and social support as they aged.

Scientists are investigating a potential biological link, including differences in the gut microbiome among dog owners. Experiments with mice exposed to dog owner microbiomes suggested a possible influence on social behaviors, indicating that microbiota may play a role in the observed improvements in human adolescents.