JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Smart technology has been shown to have varied effects on social cohesion and mental wellbeing. There has been very little research on associations between pet ownership and social cohesion and wellbeing.

Objective:

We sought to explore this in a sample of social housing occupants in Cornwall, UK.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study that collected data on people’s living environment, health and wellbeing. Participants were social housing residents in Cornwall, UK. We used regression analyses to explore associations between people’s ownership of smart technology and pets, and their reported levels of social cohesion and mental wellbeing.

Results:

There were no statistically significant associations between social cohesion and ownership of either smart technology or pets. Unadjusted regressions for wellbeing showed an association with owning a smartphone. However, after adjusting for age, gender and SES, this effect was no longer significant. Those who owned any smart technology and those who owned a games console had significantly higher levels of wellbeing, after adjusting for age, gender and SES; the effect held after social cohesion was added to the model. Owning two or more dogs was associated with lower levels of wellbeing.

Conclusions:

Previous research suggests that the beneficial effects of smart technology are context-dependent, and our results support that. There are limited data on pet ownership and social cohesion or wellbeing: our data suggest there is not a strong relationship.