@article{ref1,
title="Companion animals and child/adolescent development: a systematic review of the evidence",
journal="International journal of environmental research and public health",
year="2017",
author="Purewal, Rebecca and Christley, Robert and Kordas, Katarzyna and Joinson, Carol and Meints, Kerstin and Gee, Nancy and Westgarth, Carri",
volume="14",
number="3",
pages="e14030234-e14030234",
abstract="Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases which influence health and well-being across the life span. Social relationships are fundamental to child and adolescent development; yet studies have been limited to children's relationships with other humans. This paper provides an evidence review for the potential associations between pet ownership and emotional; behavioural; cognitive; educational and social developmental outcomes. As the field is in the early stages; a broad set of inclusion criteria was applied. A systematic search of databases and grey literature sources found twenty-two studies meeting selection criteria. The review found evidence for an association between pet ownership and a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership; particularly for self-esteem and loneliness. The findings regarding childhood anxiety and depression were inconclusive. Studies also showed evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits; for example, in perspective-taking abilities and intellectual development. Evidence on behavioural development was unclear due to a lack of high quality research. Studies on pet ownership and social development provided evidence for an association with increased social competence; social networks; social interaction and social play behaviour. Overall, pet ownership and the significance of children's bonds with companion animals have been underexplored; there is a shortage of high quality and longitudinal studies in all outcomes. Prospective studies that control for a wide range of confounders are required.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1661-7827",
doi="10.3390/ijerph14030234",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14030234"
}