Abstract

Purpose

Australian cancer survivors have multiple wellbeing support needs, and Australians frequently keep pets, a practice associated with physical and mental health benefits. This mixed-methods study explores the influence of relationships of PERMA (positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment) wellbeing domains and pet ownership on cancer survivors’ physical and mental wellbeing and quality of life.

Methods

A convenience sample of Australian cancer survivors (N = 162) were surveyed, recording demographic, pet ownership, PERMA wellbeing, physical and mental health characteristics, and support needs. Quality of life and health scores were predicted from PERMA domains and pet ownership.

Results

Pet ownership was highly prevalent in participating cancer survivors, predicting increased mental health scores. No associations were seen for physical health. Cancer survivors sought instrumental pet care support and pet-owner relationship maintenance during survivorship.

Implications: Pet ownership may be leverageable in interventions for mental health and wellbeing improvement during cancer recovery. Research should next clarify pet ownership prevalence in this population.

中文翻译：

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检查宠物在癌症幸存者身心健康中的作用

摘要

目的

澳大利亚癌症幸存者有多种健康支持需求，澳大利亚人经常养宠物，这种做法对身心健康有益。这项混合方法研究探讨了 PERMA（积极情绪、参与、关系、意义和成就）幸福领域和养宠物对癌症幸存者身心健康和生活质量的影响。

方法

对澳大利亚癌症幸存者 ( N =  162) 的便利样本进行了调查，记录了人口统计、宠物所有权、PERMA 健康、身心健康特征和支持需求。生活质量和健康评分是根据 PERMA 域和宠物所有权预测的。

结果

养宠物在参与的癌症幸存者中非常普遍，预示着心理健康评分会增加。没有发现与身体健康有关。癌症幸存者在幸存期间寻求工具性宠物护理支持和宠物主人关系维护。

启示：养宠物可能有助于在癌症康复期间进行心理健康和福祉改善干预。接下来的研究应该阐明这一人群中养宠物的普遍程度。