a Department of Psychology, Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA.
b Department of Psychology , Ithaca College , Ithaca , New York , USA.
J Psychosoc Oncol. 2019 Jan-Feb;37(1):110-126. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2018.1529010. Epub 2018 Dec 28.
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The study examined whether the bond with a companion dog is associated with well-being among people with cancer, and described the perceived benefits, challenges, and needs accompanying the relationship with the dog.
The design was cross-sectional.
Participants were 140 people recently diagnosed with cancer with at least one dog in their household.
The online survey included measures of the human-pet bond, depressive symptoms, positive affect, and health-related quality of life, as well as open-ended questions about the experience of having a dog since being diagnosed with cancer.
Although the bond with a companion dog was not directly linked with well-being, the association between the human-pet bond and depressive symptoms depended in part on treatment status.
Companion dogs may play an important role in the lives of people recently diagnosed with cancer. Implications for psychosocial providers: Health care providers can help to support the bond with a companion dog.
目的/目标：本研究考察了与伴侣犬的关系是否与癌症患者的幸福感相关，并描述了与犬相伴的益处、挑战和需求。
本研究为横断面研究。
参与者为 140 名最近被诊断患有癌症且家中至少有一只狗的人。
在线调查包括人与宠物关系的测量、抑郁症状、积极情绪和与健康相关的生活质量，以及关于被诊断患有癌症后养狗经历的开放性问题。
尽管人与伴侣犬的关系与幸福感没有直接联系，但人与宠物关系与抑郁症状之间的关联部分取决于治疗状况。
伴侣犬可能在最近被诊断患有癌症的人群的生活中扮演着重要的角色。对心理社会服务提供者的启示：医疗保健提供者可以帮助支持与伴侣犬的关系。
