Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system. Over 80% of MS patients are in the relapsing remitting stage. Symptoms range from fever, fatigue, emotional distress, tingling, numbness, optic neuritis, spasticity, muscle weakness, impaired coordination, to other abnormal neurological problems. Expression of symptoms is known as a relapse or exacerbation. The cause of relapses is unknown, but multiple factors seem to play a significant role. Possible factors that may influence MS onset and relapse consist of a genetic association, viruses, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and stress. Stress has shown to have negative implications and may stimulate relapses. Thus, this study examined a possible stress intervention that most people already had available to them, companion animals. Companion animals have been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, provide social support, and reduce stress. The main hypothesis was to evaluate whether or not pet ownership and/or attachment influenced the perceived stress level and number of negative life events experienced by MS patients in the relapsing remitting stage. Participants were given a questionnaire that consisted of 7 surveys. The questionnaire accessed quality of life, disease severity, number of negative life events, perceived stress level, level of depression, social support, and pet ownership and attachment level. Our sample population consisted of MS patients seen at the University of Texas Southwestern Neurology clinic from February 23rd to May 21st, 2004. One hundred and forty seven relapsing remitting MS patients were included in the study. Multiple linear regression was used to compare the relationship of stress and number of negative life events to pet ownership and attachment. Results revealed that pet ownership and attachment levels did not affect the stress level and number of negative life events of MS patients. No confounders were identified. Interaction terms with disease severity as the dependent variable, pet ownership and perceived stress level or negative life events as the independent variables were not significant. The type of pet owned did not influence the attachment level of the MS patient. In conclusion, the results of this study did not support the hypothesis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system. Over 80% of MS patients are in the relapsing remitting stage. Symptoms range from fever, fatigue, emotional distress, tingling, numbness, optic neuritis, spasticity, muscle weakness, impaired coordination, to other abnormal neurological problems. Expression of symptoms is known as a relapse or exacerbation. The cause of relapses is unknown, but multiple factors seem to play a significant role. Possible factors that may influence MS onset and relapse consist of a genetic association, viruses, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and stress. Stress has shown to have negative implications and may stimulate relapses. Thus, this study examined a possible stress intervention that most people already had available to them, companion animals. Companion animals have been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, provide social support, and reduce stress. The main hypothesis was to evaluate whether or not pet ownership and/or attachment influenced the perceived stress level and number of negative life events experienced by MS patients in the relapsing remitting stage. Participants were given a questionnaire that consisted of 7 surveys. The questionnaire accessed quality of life, disease severity, number of negative life events, perceived stress level, level of depression, social support, and pet ownership and attachment level. Our sample population consisted of MS patients seen at the University of Texas Southwestern Neurology clinic from February 23rd to May 21st, 2004. One hundred and forty seven relapsing remitting MS patients were included in the study. Multiple linear regression was used to compare the relationship of stress and number of negative life events to pet ownership and attachment. Results revealed that pet ownership and attachment levels did not affect the stress level and number of negative life events of MS patients. No confounders were identified. Interaction terms with disease severity as the dependent variable, pet ownership and perceived stress level or negative life events as the independent variables were not significant. The type of pet owned did not influence the attachment level of the MS patient. In conclusion, the results of this study did not support the hypothesis.

The purpose of the present study was to provide validation for Levinson's theory about pets and human personality development. Levinson (1978) proposed that the personality development of individuals who have pets to which they are attached differs from that of those who do not have pets and that pets play an important role in facilitating the development of certain adaptive personality traits. In the present study, specific areas that were addressed included differences in certain personality characteristics between life-long pet owners who were strongly attached to their pets, life-long pet owners who were less strongly attached to their pets, and people who had owned pets for only a limited period of time in their lives. One hundred undergraduates completed the Pet Attitude Scale, the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, the Personality Research Form - Form E, the Hogan Empathy Scale, the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation - Behavior (FIRO-B), and the IPAT Anxiety Scale Questionnaire. No significant differences were found between the three pet owner groups in levels of affiliation with other people, impulse control, nurturance, succorance, capacity for empathy, and anxiety levels. In addition, no significant differences were found between the three pet owner groups in interpersonal behavior characteristics or self-esteem. Concurrent validity was shown between membership in the different pet owner groups and positive attitudes toward pets as measured by the Pet Attitude Scale. As predicted, the most attached life-long pet owners reported more positive attitudes toward pets than the least attached life-long pet owners or the limited-time pet owners.

Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that impacts all members of a household, including pets. There is comprehensive quantitative evidence to suggest that domestic violence and pet abuse commonly co-occur; however, as the personal accounts of pet-owning survivors have started to emerge through qualitative investigation, more research is needed to understand the unique experiences of pet abuse that take place alongside instances of domestic violence. This phenomenological investigation utilized control balance theory and a feminist framework to uncover the experiences of survivors who entered their pets into an animal care program specifically designed to help during times of domestic violence escape. Data from interviews with 12 participants were compared to secondary qualitative data from anonymous animal abuse surveys at the community partner organization. A lens of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify global themes related to survivors' experiences of pet ownership while escaping domestic violence. From these testimonies, pets were revealed to be important to consider in responding to domestic violence because pets not only played key roles of emotional support in the survivors' lives, but they were also threatened and harmed by abusers to control victims. Furthermore, the provision of pet care for survivors who were escaping domestic violence was determined to be a meaningful intervention. Through learning of the experiences of pet ownership along the trajectory of recovery for domestic violence survivors, advocates may be better prepared to serve clients at this intersection. Furthermore, the empirical understanding of the role of the human-animal bond in domestic violence survivorship was augmented by this study.

<p>I tidigare forskning finns ett samband mellan socialt stöd och reducerad stress. Även husdjur påverkar stressnivån. Denna enkätstudie tittade på om husdjur och civilstånd påverkar hälsa och stressnivå. Av de studenter som deltog i studien hade 35% husdjur. Resultatet visade inte på någon effekt på stress av att ha husdjur. Personer med partner upplevde inte mindre stress än singlar. Huruvida deltagarna bodde med sin partner eller ej spelade ingen roll för stressnivån. Husdjursantalet påverkade inte stressupplevelsen. En interaktionseffekt påvisades: Yngre singlar och äldre personer med partner upplevde mer stress än vad yngre personer med partner och äldre singlar gjorde. Studiens resultat skiljer sig från vad tidigare forskning då inga huvudeffekter av husdjur och partner kunde påvisas.</p>

I tidigare forskning finns ett samband mellan socialt stöd och reducerad stress. Även husdjur påverkar stressnivån. Denna enkätstudie tittade på om husdjur och civilstånd påverkar hälsa och stressnivå. Av de studenter som deltog i studien hade 35% husdjur. Resultatet visade inte på någon effekt på stress av att ha husdjur. Personer med partner upplevde inte mindre stress än singlar. Huruvida deltagarna bodde med sin partner eller ej spelade ingen roll för stressnivån. Husdjursantalet påverkade inte stressupplevelsen. En interaktionseffekt påvisades: Yngre singlar och äldre personer med partner upplevde mer stress än vad yngre personer med partner och äldre singlar gjorde. Studiens resultat skiljer sig från vad tidigare forskning då inga huvudeffekter av husdjur och partner kunde påvisas.

Resumo: A intensa convivência entre o ser humano e os animais de estimação não tem sido acompanhada pela adoção de posturas de posse responsável. Dentre os animais de estimação, cães e gatos são geralmente os de eleição, estando presentes em grande contingente dos lares. Ações educativas que alertem e conscientizem sobre zoonoses e sobre a responsabilidade de possuir animais são fundamentais na mitigação dos problemas de saúde pública; porém, antes da realização de qualquer programa, é imprescindível o conhecimento da realidade local. O presente estudo foi idealizado com o propósito de avaliar a população de cães e gatos, e o nível de conhecimento e comportamento sobre a raiva e posse responsável de animais de estimação, em bairros de níveis socioeconômicos contrastantes da cidade de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo. De setembro a novembro de 2007 foram entrevistados 185 moradores dos bairros Jardim Patriarca, Jardim Paulista e Jardim Santa Rosa, e 197 moradores do bairro Nova Jaboticabal, totalizando 382 entrevistas. Para análise dos dados foram empregados o teste Qui-quadrado e a Análise de Correspondência Múltipla. Apesar do contraste socioeconômico, o nível de conhecimento dos entrevistados sobre posse responsável e raiva animal foi semelhante em todos os bairros estudados; entretanto, o melhor poder aquisitivo favoreceu maiores gastos com serviços veterinários, como atendimento médico e vacinações, e maior número de animais por residência. As informações obtidas respaldam a necessidade de realizar trabalhos educativos constantes sobre posse responsável e prevenção de agravos em toda a cidade, além do estabelecimento de um canal de comunicação entre veterinários e o governo municipal. / Abstract: The intense interactions between people and pets have not been accompanied by responsible ownership practices over the years. Dogs and cats are the pets of choice, and they are found in great amount of homes. It is crucial to put into practice educative actions on zoonoses and on responsibility of owning animals to mitigate public health-related problems. However, before their effectuation, it is necessary to assess the local reality. The present study aimed to assess owned-dogs and cats populations and to evaluate the level of knowledge of responsible pet ownership and rabies among residents of socially and economically contradictory neighborhoods of the city of Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo. From September to November, 2007, 185 residents of Jardim Patriarca, Jardim Paulista and Jardim Santa Rosa neighborhoods and 197 residents of Nova Jaboticabal were interviewed, giving a total of 382 interviews. Chi-square test and Multiple Correspondence Analysis were used for data analysis. Despite socioeconomic contradiction, the level of knowledge was similar. However, better levels of income favored greater expenses with veterinary care services, including vaccinations, and a greater amount of pets per household. Results recommend the need for constant educational actions on responsible pet ownership and injury prevention for all social classes of Jaboticabal, besides the establishment of a communication channel between private veterinarians and local government. / Orientadora: Adolorata Aparecida Bianco Carvalho / Coorientador: Antonio Sérgio Ferraudo / Banca: Luiz Augusto do Amaral / Banca: Maria de Lourdes Aguiar Bonadia Reichmann / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-11T14:41:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JanaliaAF_DISSERT (1).pdf: 2242234 bytes, checksum: 1433280bec40754b7bd88ff2b97e941c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The interaction between man and pets has grown substantially bringing very benefits to the health population, however in this coexistence is not free of injuries when this relationship does not occur in a responsible manner. Among the complications caused by the lack of proper management of these animals are severe diseases that can be transmitted to humans, addition to aggressions, traffic accidents, pollution from dejections, noise pollution and other perturbations. This work aims to control the feline and canine populations by the surgical method, relating to the responsible pet ownership, bringing improvements in environmental and well being conditions in the community in the neighborhood Paupina, Fortaleza-CE. Being realized a questionnaire with neighborhood residents, both those created as those not created pets. Doing raising of existing zoonoses, discomfort and disorders caused by animals, performing guidelines on responsible pet ownership, and making registration of breeders of dogs and cats, for performing the surgical sterilization. After six months of the completed the castrations, the same questionnaire was reapplied to make comparison of data before and after castration. In the first phase of the survey questionnaire was conducted with 410 residents, and created 199 of these dogs and/or cats, in a total of 366 animals. 69 % of dogs and 95 % of cats have never had service veterinarian, but despite the low attendance 88 % of dogs were vaccinated with some kind of vaccine that cats only 48 %. It was reported by 91.7 % of respondents, the presence of animals that roam freely in the streets, and 62 % said that the animals had owners, but free access to the street. The existence of faeces and trash from stray animals account for more than 60 % of the responses and the most common zoonosis in the community was the larva migrans, representing 62 % of people who have had some kind of zoonosis .Being reported by most troublesome residents and disorders by vocalizations and conglomerates dogs in estrus period of females. Factor compounded by the low rate of castrations , only 2 % of dogs and 9 % of cats were neutered , however there was wide acceptance of surgery , castration was performed in 208 animals , representing 91 % of the owners who wished to neuter their animals . After this procedure in comparing the data, it can be observed reduction in the dropout rate, vocalization, worning, trampling and the number of stray animals on the streets . We can conclude that in the neighborhood Paupina with basic animal care is not taken, there is no adequate vaccination, worming and veterinary medical care. Not responsible ownership, which brings diseases society being held. And preventive measures to control the population of animals, the surgical method, reduce injuries and discomfort to the environment and society . Resulting in a more harmonious environment between men and animals, and to be preserved must raise awareness of the risks and required with pet care / O convívio entre os homens e os animais de estimação, tem crescido substancialmente trazendo grandes benefícios a saúde da população, num entanto esta convivência não esta livre de agravos, quando esta relação não ocorre de forma responsável. Entre os agravos provocados pela falta de um manejo adequado desses animais estão sérias doenças que podem ser transmitidas ao homem, além de agressões, acidentes de trânsito, poluição por dejetos, poluição sonora e outras perturbações. Tendo este trabalho como objetivo controlar a população canina e felina, pelo método cirúrgico, relacionando com a posse responsável, trazendo melhorias das condições ambientais e de bem estar da comunidade no bairro da Paupina, Fortaleza-CE. Realizado aplicação de questionário com os moradores do bairro, tanto os que criavam como os que não criavam animais. Fazendo levantamento das zoonoses existentes, e dos incômodos e transtornos provocados pelos animais, realizadoorientações sobre guarda responsável, e realização de cadastro como os criadores de cães e gatos, para a realização da esterilização cirúrgica. Após seis meses da realização das castrações, foi reaplicado o mesmo questionário para realizar comparação dos dados antes e após as castrações. Na primeira fase da pesquisa foi realizado questionário com 410 moradores, e destes 199 criavam cães e/ou gatos, perfazendo um total de 366 animais. 69% dos cães e 95% dos gatos nunca tiveram atendimento Médico Veterinário, mas apesar da baixa assistência 88% dos cães foram vacinados com algum tipo de vacina já os gatos apenas 48%. Foi relatado por 91,7% dos entrevistados a presença de animais que andam livremente pelas ruas, e 62 % disseram que os animais tinham donos, mas acesso livre a rua. A existência de fezes e lixo proveniente dos animais nas ruas somam mais de 60% das respostas dos entrevistados, e a zoonose mais freqüente na comunidade foi a larva migrans, representando 62% das pessoas que já tiveram algum tipo de zoonose. Sendo relatado pela maioria dos moradores incômodos e transtornos pelas vocalizações e aglomerados de cães no período de estro das fêmeas. Fator agravado pelo baixo índice de castrações, apenas 2% dos cães e 9% dos gatos eram castrados, no entanto houve grande aceitação da cirurgia, sendo realizada castração em 208 animais, representando 91 % dos proprietários que pretendiam castrar seus animais. Após esse procedimento na comparação dos dados, pode-se observar redução do índice de abandono, vocalização, cadelas em estro, atropelamento e o número de animais soltos nas ruas. Podemos concluir que no bairro da Paupina não é realizado os cuidados básicos com os animais, não havendo um esquema adequado de vacinação, vermifugação e assistência médica veterinária. Não sendo realizada a posse responsável, o que traz agravos a sociedade. E que medidas preventivas para o controle populacional de animais, pelo método cirúrgico, reduzem agravos e incômodos ao meio ambiente e a sociedade. Resultando em um ambiente mais harmonioso entre homens e animais, e para que seja preservado deve-se conscientizar a população dos riscos e cuidados necessários com os animais de companhia

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-05-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:07:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lages_sls_me_jabo.pdf: 1020291 bytes, checksum: 6d5302e47c3470389d0765423667f9f1 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A intensa convivência entre o ser humano e os animais de estimação não tem sido acompanhada pela adoção de posturas de posse responsável. Dentre os animais de estimação, cães e gatos são geralmente os de eleição, estando presentes em grande contingente dos lares. Ações educativas que alertem e conscientizem sobre zoonoses e sobre a responsabilidade de possuir animais são fundamentais na mitigação dos problemas de saúde pública; porém, antes da realização de qualquer programa, é imprescindível o conhecimento da realidade local. O presente estudo foi idealizado com o propósito de avaliar a população de cães e gatos, e o nível de conhecimento e comportamento sobre a raiva e posse responsável de animais de estimação, em bairros de níveis socioeconômicos contrastantes da cidade de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo. De setembro a novembro de 2007 foram entrevistados 185 moradores dos bairros Jardim Patriarca, Jardim Paulista e Jardim Santa Rosa, e 197 moradores do bairro Nova Jaboticabal, totalizando 382 entrevistas. Para análise dos dados foram empregados o teste Qui-quadrado e a Análise de Correspondência Múltipla. Apesar do contraste socioeconômico, o nível de conhecimento dos entrevistados sobre posse responsável e raiva animal foi semelhante em todos os bairros estudados; entretanto, o melhor poder aquisitivo favoreceu maiores gastos com serviços veterinários, como atendimento médico e vacinações, e maior número de animais por residência. As informações obtidas respaldam a necessidade de realizar trabalhos educativos constantes sobre posse responsável e prevenção de agravos em toda a cidade, além do estabelecimento de um canal de comunicação entre veterinários e o governo municipal. / The intense interactions between people and pets have not been accompanied by responsible ownership practices over the years. Dogs and cats are the pets of choice, and they are found in great amount of homes. It is crucial to put into practice educative actions on zoonoses and on responsibility of owning animals to mitigate public health-related problems. However, before their effectuation, it is necessary to assess the local reality. The present study aimed to assess owned-dogs and cats populations and to evaluate the level of knowledge of responsible pet ownership and rabies among residents of socially and economically contradictory neighborhoods of the city of Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo. From September to November, 2007, 185 residents of Jardim Patriarca, Jardim Paulista and Jardim Santa Rosa neighborhoods and 197 residents of Nova Jaboticabal were interviewed, giving a total of 382 interviews. Chi-square test and Multiple Correspondence Analysis were used for data analysis. Despite socioeconomic contradiction, the level of knowledge was similar. However, better levels of income favored greater expenses with veterinary care services, including vaccinations, and a greater amount of pets per household. Results recommend the need for constant educational actions on responsible pet ownership and injury prevention for all social classes of Jaboticabal, besides the establishment of a communication channel between private veterinarians and local government.

Despite copious research into the association between pet-ownership and human wellbeing in general, empirical data is contradictory and research focusing on the effect of pet-ownership across the lifespan is fundamentally lacking. This study provides analysis and discussion on the relationship between pet-ownership in childhood &amp; human physical and psychological wellbeing in young adulthood. One hundred and ten people extending in age from of 18 to 25 responded to a questionnaire related to their demography, pet-ownership, and physical &amp; psychological health. Finding(s) showed no main effect of pet-ownership on physical or psychological health. Furthermore, no significant relation was found between attachment or social support from a childhood pet and ensuing physical or psychological health. Comprehensively more research is required to veritably establish a link between pet-ownership &amp; human physical and psychological wellbeing.