According to a recent study published in Beijing on July 7th (journalist) Springer Nature Journal, Pediatric Research, the social and emotional health of young children in dog-headed households is better than that of young children in non-dog families.
The research teams from the University of Western Australia and the Terason Institute for Children, using data from questionnaires collected from 1646 families with 2-5-year-olds, found that children ' s age, physiological sex, sleeping habits, viewing time and parents ' educational level were taken into account. Children from dog-headed households had a 23 per cent lower overall chance of experiencing emotional and social interaction than children from undog families, with a 30 per cent lower chance of anti-social behaviour and 40 per cent lower chance of interacting with other children and a 34 per cent higher chance of showing positive behaviour (e.g. sharing).
According to the Deputy Professor Hayley Christian, the author of the research paper, the research team expected that a dog would be of some benefit to the health of the young child, but was surprised to see that a single dog in the family could give the child so much positive behavior and emotion.
The study also showed that children in dog-headed households who walk with their families at least once a week walk less frequently than children who walk with their families once a week and have a 36 per cent lower chance of poor social and emotional development. Children who play three or more times a week with a dog at home are 74 per cent more likely than children who play three times a week.
“Our findings show that dogs or children's development and health benefit, and we assume that this may be related to the emotional connection between the child and the dog. Relationships between children and pets may be reflected by how much time they play and walk together, and play and walk dogs or contribute to social and emotional development.” Hailey Christian says.
The research team also analysed the data collected during 2015-2018 as part of the PLAYCE study to study children's social and emotional development and possible linkages with domestic dogs. In the study, parents of children aged 2 to 5 are required to fill out questionnaires to assess their children ' s physical activity and social development. Of the 1646 households participating in the study, 686 (42 per cent) had a dog.
The authors of the latest research paper also cautioned that, because the study was of an observational nature, it was not possible to determine the exact rationale for dog raising or the benefits of social development for young children or the causal link. Further research will be needed to assess the potential impact of the adoption of different types of pets, or the impact of the emotional connection between the child and the pet on the development of the child. (concluded)