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MONDAY HEALTH REPORT: Study links dog ownership to better coping skills in teens with social anxiety
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A new study suggests that teenagers with high levels of social anxiety may benefit from caring for a dog.
The research, published in the Journal of Adolescence, looked at more than 500 teens and found that those who cared for a dog showed better coping skills, including emotional regulation, problem-solving and positive thinking.
Researchers say the bond matters more than simply owning a dog. Teens who had a positive relationship with their dog showed the most benefits.
Those who viewed their pets as a substitute for human relationships often showed less effective coping strategies.
Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than a fifth of teens report struggling with anxiety and stress. Similar research has shown that having a dog can help ease some of those symptoms.
Pets can also provide a sense of purpose and shared responsibility, both of which researchers say are important during developmental years.
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