Research in Human-Animal Interaction
J. C. McNicholas, G.M.
Journal/Companion Animals in Human Health, Sage Publications, 1998
Contact with companion animals has been hypothesized to enhance the quality of life of their human partners. A search of the scientific literature between 1990 and 1995 uncovered 25 empirical studies in the English language addressing this issue. Using the social support paradigm derived from the human well-being literature, the 25 studies were examined according to the types of support offerred, types of models tested, and types of well-being affected. In addition, studies are analyzed by types of research design employed. The review concludes that although research progress continues to be slow in this area, findings of quality of life benefits derived from companion animal contact are consistent with the research reported during the last two decades in the literature on human social support.