Clinical Sciences Department, Colorado State University, 1680 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
School of Social Work, Colorado State University, 1586 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
BMC Womens Health. 2023 Oct 17;23(1):540. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02662-z.
Research suggests pets foster affection, connection, and physical activity, yet has failed to address the challenges people diagnosed with cancer face in caring for their pets. The objective of this study was to better understand how pets serve as emotional buffers and/or stressors for people diagnosed with breast cancer, and how their ability to meet their pet's needs affects their well-being.
A cross-section study of people diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States was conducted. Adults diagnosed with stages 0 (in situ) -IV breast cancer and currently the primary guardian of at least one dog or cat and owned the animal(s) for at least 6 months, were recruited for the study. A total of 211 responses, obtained between July - November 2022 were analyzed. The survey included questions about participants' demographics; attachment to their pets; physical, emotional, and functional well-being; social support received from their pet; and 'pet parenting' concerns. Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe participants' demographics. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine predictors of pet attachment, well-being, support from pet, and 'pet parenting' concerns.
People diagnosed with breast cancer derive substantial support from their pets (80% feel their pet makes them feel loved, needed, and offers a positive presence in the home), yet only 50% of participants feel this relationship is supported by their medical team. Controlling for owner demographics, heightened levels of pet-related guilt and concerns, along with lower perceived support from their pet, are all significant predictors of a lower quality of life.
Findings highlight the benefits pets offer people diagnosed with breast cancer, yet also the distress they feel in trying to meet their pet's needs. Assessment conversations about pet ownership, including pet-related support systems, are needed to validate people's concerns and support the identification and development of pet support teams. Medical team facilitated discussions about pet care needs is suggested to demonstrate support for the pet-parent bond and help normalize feelings of guilt related to challenges in meeting their pet's needs. These discussions could be aided through the development of research-driven intervention strategies and online, freely accessible targeted tools.
研究表明，宠物可以培养感情、联系和身体活动，但未能解决被诊断患有癌症的人在照顾宠物方面所面临的挑战。本研究的目的是更好地了解宠物如何成为被诊断患有乳腺癌的人的情感缓冲器和/或压力源，以及他们满足宠物需求的能力如何影响他们的幸福感。
对美国被诊断患有乳腺癌的人群进行了横断面研究。招募了被诊断患有 0 期（原位）-IV 期乳腺癌且目前为至少一只狗或猫的主要监护人，并至少拥有宠物 6 个月的成年人。2022 年 7 月至 11 月期间共获得 211 份回复，对其进行了分析。该调查包括参与者的人口统计学信息；对宠物的依恋；身体、情感和功能健康；从宠物那里获得的社会支持；以及“宠物养育”方面的担忧。计算了描述性统计数据来描述参与者的人口统计学信息。进行了多元回归分析，以确定宠物依恋、幸福感、宠物支持以及“宠物养育”方面担忧的预测因素。
被诊断患有乳腺癌的人从他们的宠物那里获得了大量的支持（80%的人觉得他们的宠物让他们感到被爱、被需要，并在家中带来积极的影响），但只有 50%的参与者觉得他们的医疗团队支持这种关系。控制主人的人口统计学特征，宠物相关的内疚和担忧程度增加，以及对宠物的支持程度降低，都是生活质量较低的显著预测因素。
研究结果强调了宠物为被诊断患有乳腺癌的人带来的益处，但也强调了他们在试图满足宠物需求时所感到的困扰。需要进行有关宠物所有权的评估对话，包括与宠物相关的支持系统，以验证人们的担忧，并支持确定和发展宠物支持团队。建议由医疗团队协助讨论宠物护理需求，以表示对宠物父母关系的支持，并帮助减轻因满足宠物需求而产生的内疚感。这些讨论可以通过制定以研究为基础的干预策略和在线提供免费的、有针对性的工具来辅助。
