Relationship between Dog Companionship and Perceived Stress among Adults

Abstract

This study explored how dog companionship relates to perceived stress in adults and investigated whether gender plays a role in influencing stress levels or the strength of the dog owner relationship. The sample consisted of 160 adult individuals who owned dogs. Data collection involved the use of two standardized instruments: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Cat/Dog Owner Relationship Scale (CDORS). Statistical evaluation was carried out using SPSS software, applying Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent samples t-tests. The findings indicated a significant inverse relationship between stress levels and the quality of dog companionship, suggesting that participants with stronger bonds to their dogs experienced less perceived stress. Furthermore, gender-based analysis showed that males reported significantly higher stress levels than females. However, no significant difference was found between men and women in terms of their emotional attachment to their dogs, indicating that both genders develop similarly strong bonds with their pets. These outcomes underscore the value of dog companionship as a potential non-therapeutic means of stress reduction and reinforce existing research on the emotional and psychological benefits of human-animal interactions.