Kruger Kimberly Swart, Stern Stephen L, Anstead Gregory, Finley Erin P
From the Immunosuppression Clinic, Audie L. Murphy Division of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
South Med J. 2014 Mar;107(3):188-93. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0000000000000078.
Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) frequently experience psychosocial complications in addition to physical illness. Conflicting data on the value of companion dog ownership in minimizing psychosocial distress suggest the need for more research in this field. This study helps to clarify and expand upon previous research on perceived well-being among patients with HIV/AIDS, specifically as it relates to how owning dogs influences the well-being of US military veterans living with HIV/AIDS.
Twenty-nine male veterans with a mean age of 52 years who reported having owned a dog since being diagnosed as having HIV/AIDS completed semistructured interviews regarding pet ownership and perceived well-being. Participants also completed a brief survey describing their pets and rating scales that assessed symptoms of depression (nine-question Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and the extent of attachment to their pets (Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale). Descriptive statistics were completed and interview responses were transcribed and examined qualitatively for key themes.
The mean Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of 8.9 (median score of 6) was consistent with mild depressive symptoms, and the mean Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale score was 83.2, indicative of high attachment to one's dog. Veterans reported walking their dogs a mean of 49 minutes/day. Qualitative analysis of the interviews showed that having HIV/AIDS interfered with well-being in three main ways (emotional burden, physical condition, and social isolation). Owning dogs enhanced perceived well-being in four ways (physical activity, companionship, responsibility, and stress reduction).
Twenty-eight of the 29 participants (97%) reported that owning dogs was a positive experience. Overall, this study suggests that veterans with HIV/AIDS who own companion dogs believe that it improves their well-being.
感染人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）/获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）的患者除了身体疾病外，还经常经历心理社会并发症。关于养伴侣犬对减轻心理社会困扰的价值，数据存在冲突，这表明该领域需要更多研究。本研究有助于阐明和扩展先前关于HIV/AIDS患者感知幸福感的研究，特别是关于养狗如何影响感染HIV/AIDS的美国退伍军人的幸福感。
29名平均年龄为52岁的男性退伍军人，他们自被诊断为HIV/AIDS以来报告养过狗，完成了关于宠物饲养和感知幸福感的半结构化访谈。参与者还完成了一份简短的调查问卷，描述他们的宠物，并使用评估抑郁症状的量表（9个问题的患者健康问卷-9）和评估对宠物依恋程度的量表（列克星敦宠物依恋量表）。完成描述性统计，并对访谈回复进行转录和定性检查以找出关键主题。
患者健康问卷-9的平均得分为8.9（中位数为6），与轻度抑郁症状一致，列克星敦宠物依恋量表的平均得分为83.2，表明对自己的狗有高度依恋。退伍军人报告每天平均遛狗49分钟。访谈的定性分析表明，感染HIV/AIDS以三种主要方式干扰幸福感（情感负担、身体状况和社会隔离）。养狗通过四种方式提高了感知幸福感（身体活动、陪伴、责任感和减轻压力）。
29名参与者中有28名（97%）报告养宠物是一次积极的经历。总体而言，本研究表明，养伴侣犬的HIV/AIDS退伍军人认为这改善了他们的幸福感。
