This study examined the effects of psychological health management on quality of life and happiness, and verified the mediating effect of companion animal-assisted therapy, based on prior research.
The independent variable comprised the sub-factors of...
This study examined the effects of psychological health management on quality of life and happiness, and verified the mediating effect of companion animal-assisted therapy, based on prior research.
The independent variable comprised the sub-factors of psychological health management: self-awareness, emotional balance, stress management, interpersonal relationships, goal setting, and motivation. The mediating variable was set as companion animal-assisted therapy, and the dependent variables were individual quality of life and happiness.
The survey targeted 308 adults nationwide, though 218 were residents of the metropolitan area. There were 110 males and 198 females, with women constituting the majority. By age, 101 respondents (32.8%) were in their 50s, with 187 (60.7%) holding a college degree (including junior college). Occupationally, 82 (26.6%) were professionals. Monthly income distribution showed the largest group earning between 2 million won and 3 million won (30.8%).
In terms of sociodemographic characteristics, dogs were the most common type of companion animal, with 152 respondents (49.4%). Regarding the duration of pet ownership, 73 respondents (23.7%) had owned their pet for 6 months. The most common reason for owning a companion animal was to enhance quality of life and vitality, cited by 117 respondents (38.0%).
The results of hypothesis testing showed: First, self-awareness, emotional balance, stress management, interpersonal relationships, goal setting, and motivation within psychological health management were found to have a positive (+) effect on quality of life.
Second, self-awareness, emotional balance, stress management, interpersonal relationships, goal setting, and motivation within psychological health management were found to have a positive (+) effect on happiness.
Third, psychological health management was found to have a significant positive (+) effect on companion animal-assisted therapy.
Fourth, companion animal-assisted therapy was found to have a significant positive (+) effect on quality of life.
Fifth, companion animal-assisted therapy was found to have a significant positive (+) effect on happiness.
Sixth, in the relationship between psychological health management and quality of life, companion animal-assisted therapy was found to play a mediating role.
Seventh, in the relationship between psychological health management and happiness, companion animal-assisted therapy was found to play a mediating role. Eighth, when verifying the difference in stress levels between groups that raise companion animals and those that do not, the stress level of the pet-owning group averaged 35.07, while that of the non-pet-owning group averaged 48.90. The difference between the two groups showed a mean difference of -13.830 (p<0.05). The stress index was found to be 13.8% lower in the pet-owning group compared to the non-pet-owning group.
Summarizing the above research, pet ownership was confirmed to aid psychological health management, and interaction with pets was found to be effective for psychological healing.
Therefore, it is considered that pet interaction programs should be prioritized to enhance psychological health and improve quality of life and happiness.