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Introduction
Introduction
Throughout history, humans have relied on animals to provide for us in countless ways, from protection to food production (Driscol, 2009). We have been working alongside domesticated animals for thousands of years (Reiter, 2016) However the role of animal companionship has changed greatly in modern times. As humans strayed further and further away from the natural elements and became urbanized , challenges to our mental health have become more prevalent (Luo 2022). Humans now depend on animals for companionship and emotional support , especially in modern times where stress and isolation are prevalent (Robinson, 2014) . College students in particular face significant stressors such as changes in sleep patterns, eating habits and in workload. (Ross, S, Niebling, B, Heckert, 2024) Coincidentally, many students turn to pet ownership as a way to cope with these challenges (Barker, Schubert, barker, et all). While owning pets and plants may help alleviate stress, these commitments also require time and attention, potentially conflicting with academic responsibilities. This raises an important question: How does ownership of pets and plants affect college students' academic success?
Mini Literature Review
Mini Literature Review
Firstly, it's worth noting that research on human and animal interactions is still pretty new, however almost all research that has been conducted has found positive benefits from pet ownership (Friedmann, E., Barker, S. B., & Allen, 2013). For example when we cuddle our pets, it release oxytocin, a destressing chemical (Bowman, 2024) Pets are also amazing for our social health as well (Wood, L., Martin, K., Christian, H., et all, 2015) .A study conducted by Wood and co-authors surveyed 2,700 people across four cities what the most common ways they met people was.(ibid) They found that being a pet owner was the third most common way that respondents met their neighbors (the first was living close by, the second was taking the same streets frequently) and results showed that pet owners were 60% more likely to meet people in their neighborhood that they hadn't met before.(Ibid)
Pet ownership can also greatly improve mental health (Raina, P., Waltner-Toews, D., Bonnett, et all, 1999). Oftentimes, owning a pet requires us to adhere to more organized schedules which can reduce stress in the long run (Charmaraman L, Kiel E, Richer AM, Gramajo A, 2022). This can be particularly helpful to college students as they are generally inexperienced with time scheduling and scheduling time effectively is an important factor to academic success (Hartwig, M.K., Dunlosky, J., 2012). One study has even shown that college students' mood benefit from interacting with dogs before taking a test. (Machová, Procházková,Vadroňováet all, 2020) This experiment was done on three groups, one that interacted with dogs, another that interacted with self calming methods and the third was unaffected(ibid). The results showed that the group that interacted with dogs did not show a reduction in physiological stress, however it did show that they reported a higher than average mood than the other two groups (ibid).
College students may have the most to gain from pet ownership.According to health surveys, young people ages 12-25 suffer from a lack of psychological health (Saleh, D., Camart, N., & Romo, L. 2017). When compared to people of the same age, students have more psychological problems (ibid). Students reflect physiological discomfort in many ways, including depression, anxiety, stress and sleeping disorders (Lejoyeux, M., Richoux-Benhaim, C., Betizeau, A. et all, 2011). According to a French study (Boujut et al., 2009), 27, 18, and 3% of college students suffer from mild, moderate and severe depression. Many more studies have shown that suicidal thoughts and even tendencies are common amongst students (Saleh, D., Camart, N., & Romo, L. ,2017)
Pets can also be large causers of stress in many ways (AppleBaum, 2020). Any pet requires a lot of time, attention and money (Koene P, de Mol RM & Ipema B, 2016). The American Kennel Club states that dogs should not spend more than 6-8 hours alone at a time (Kearl, 2024). Cats can be alone for a day or two at a time provided they have food and water. Each pet requires specific attention as well. Mammals need to spend a lot of time bonding with their owner in order to feel safe and healthy, even tank animals require a lot of care as well such as setting up their enclosure and creating specific conditions (ibid).
Pets are a large financial burden as well, the average lifetime monetary cost of owning a dog who lives to 13 years is estimated to be $13,330 and cats at $8506 (Serpell, A, James, & Paul, S Elizabeth 2011). According to this statistic, dogs would cost $1025 per year or $85 per month for 13 years. Cats would cost $654 per year or $54 per month for thirteen years. However the actual cost can vary depending on many factors. A different study from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average person under 25 years of age spends an average of $279 on pet costs annually Henderson, S. (2013, May 17).
Combining the costs of pet care with students' living costs may be undoable for many college students. Despite recognizing that on-campus housing provides more benefits for students (i.e social health, physical safety, work and academics) most low-income students feel as though they cannot stay on campus for financial reasons (Kendall, N., Goerisch, D., Kim, E.Cet all, 2020). Many studies have shown that food insecurity among college students may be double or even triple than the general public's rate of food insecurity with reports averaging between 14%-59% at varying universities around the country (Henry, 2017). Needless to say college tuition is also a factor that may disway pet ownership among college students. 38% of U.S adults are paying student loans and are unable to save for retirement (Ulbrich, T. R., & Kirk, L. M. 2017). Tuition isn't getting cheaper either, the average cost of a pharmaceutical degree was $101,892 in 2009 and in 2017 it increased to $163,494, a $61602 increase (ibid).
Like college, pets can be a good long term investment. Pet ownership can cause the creation of healthier long term habits, for example many studies have shown that dog owners are much more physically active (Levine, 2013). A a study conducted by Oka conducted in Japan interviewed 5253 adults and found that dog owners are 54% more likely to complete the recommended amount of physical activity per week (Oka, 2009). Another very similar study done in Australia found that pet owners are 57% more likely to reach the recommended amount of physical activity per week (Cutt, 2008). Cat ownership has also proven to be associated with a decrease in death by cardiovascular disease (Qureshi, 2009).
Research Questions/Objectives and Justification
Research Questions/Objectives and Justification
Owning a pet can profoundly impact a person’s well-being, offering companionship, routine, and opportunities for social interaction. Numerous studies have demonstrated that pet ownership can reduce stress, improve physical health, and even extend longevity (Friedman, 2013). Additionally, pets can increase physical activity, especially in the case of dogs, where activities like walking can become part of a daily routine (Cutt, 2008). Given these benefits, pets could offer college students much-needed emotional support and stress relief. College life can be overwhelming, with many students struggling to balance academic responsibilities, social demands, and the pressures of navigating adulthood. The companionship of a pet may alleviate some of this stress by offering comfort and promoting healthy routines.
However, pet ownership also presents a significant financial commitment, which can be particularly burdensome for college students already facing considerable financial pressures. Many students manage tight budgets and may experience food insecurity, (Kendall, 2020).
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Theoretical Framework
Theoretical Framework
To better understand how pet ownership may affect the academic success of GVSU students, the Stress Reduction Theory (SRS) can be used as a guiding framework. This theory provides insight into how stress is both alleviated and developed in different environments. SRS originated with psychologist Roger Ulrich, who began developing it through an experiment on two small groups of students who had recently completed an examination and were likely still feeling stressed. Ulrich had each group view a series of approximately 20 image slides, both before and after answering a set of questions. One group viewed images of natural environments, while the other group saw images of urban settings. The group that viewed urban scenes reported higher levels of stress and sadness, and they were also less focused on the images. In contrast, the group that viewed natural landscapes reported lower levels of stress and an increased sense of happiness(Ulrich 1979). Many similar experiments have since been conducted, consistently showing that regardless of age, race, gender, or even stress level, spending time in or appreciating nature reduces stress, while urban environments tend to increase stress (Ulrich 2024).
SRS suggests that the areas in which we spend time affect our Perceived Environmental Quality (PEQ). Urbanized streetscapes have a lower PEQ, while areas rich in nature offer a higher PEQ (Lan Luo, 2022). Research has shown that PEQ is one of the most significant factors in determining stress levels, with people living in low PEQ environments experiencing more stress (ibid). Factors that influence PEQ include lighting, sound, air quality, and thermal comfort (ibid). Removing these elements leads to discomfort, and adding certain negative factors can make people feel even worse (ibid). The term "Perceived Oppressiveness" refers to the psychological pressure exerted by urbanized environments. Features such as large crowds, heavy traffic, and billboards have been proven to increase stress levels(ibid). Perceived aggressiveness and PEQ have significant effects on one's acute mental stress. High levels of stress can lead to chronic mental stress which can cause cardiovascular disease, strokes, depression and suicide (ibid)
References
References
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