Animals and Biopsychosocial Problems
Student’s Name
Institution
Introduction
Biopsychosocial problems are majorly about the growth of some ailments which form when psychological and biological aspects interact. Such factors include behavior, mood, personality biochemical, and genetic. A biopsychosocial model explains well how illnesses and health are seen to result from social, biological, and behavioral characteristics such as lifestyle and stress. It is, therefore, right to state that the term biopsychosocial is used in beings that have physiological, social, and psychological physiognomies. Psychology covers a range of behaviors important while focusing on illness and health problems. Such include but are not limited to decision making, exercise, and nutrition. This essay will focus on issues that result from the interaction of humans and animals. This interaction refers to the relationship between humans and animals, in which some research proves that it can improve mental and physical health while enhancing lives (Barker & Wolen 2008). The bond formed in this relationship is advantageous to both of them. It may help the animals reduce fear and anxiety. Humans and animals interact in many forms, including keeping animals to help with work, having animals for a companion, animals that offer emotional support, and so on. It is, however, sad to note that some of these interactions have negative results. Some humans are allergic and don’t appreciate the idea of being social with animals, and in some cases, animals end up abused and are subject to stress.
Definition of the Problem and Review
Some studies have been done, and the effects of human-animal interaction documented. The results range from personal to social. There are both positive and negative effects. The interactions are known to the system of oxytocin in humans, which, in return, affects humans in different ways. This review will emphasize social interaction as well as how human-animal relations boost moods and reduce stress. Focusing on how interactions among humans are improved, many aspects are involved, which include respect, aggression, and trust. In research to investigate the effects of pet companionship in the social behavior of human beings, it was discovered that the animals facilitated these relations. It was found that individuals in a wheelchair gained smiles and attention from the company of dogs. Also, young individuals with autism were seen to interact for more extended periods with dogs than they did with other people or objects. Patients who have schizophrenia also improved their contact and interactions when dogs were used to facilitate and assist in their therapy. It is, therefore, to state that some animals can positively influence the social connection. Children who own dogs are often seen to have more friends and to receive more visitors hence improving interactions. From the examples given above, it has been noted that the latent to encourage social contacts obtained from the companionship of animals affect people of different ages regardless of their mental health.
The problem goes ahead to manifest itself in how humans deal with depression. In research whose focus was on the ownership and interaction with a dog, it was discovered that stress levels decreased significantly in nursing homes that had this pet. Depression, however, falls in individuals who can at least own a dog as it improves how often they interrelate ( Curl & Johnson 2017). It reduces loneliness as individuals tend to take their time to care for these animals. In another study, older adults who kept birds for company recorded a decrease in their levels of depression as opposed to those that didn’t. Both adults and children with either mental or physical problems can use an animal connection to boost their temperaments. This is evident from children with schizophrenia, where their moods are seen to improve when dogs are involved in their therapy sessions. It is also seen in hospitalized children where when allowed to interact with individual animals, they appear happy, smile often, and their relations improve. Management of stress using animals has a lot of biology behind it. There are hormones and neurotransmitters involved. From studies conducted by researchers, it is evident that the affected neurotransmitters include norepinephrine, epinephrine, and the hormone cortisol (Heinrichs et al. 2003).
When exposed to the right animal for companionship, preferably a dog, the endocrine system is positively affected as changes are observed in the levels of epinephrine, cortisol, and norepinephrine, which indicate a decrease in the levels of stress. There is some notable difference when persons with pressure spend their time alone compared to when they pet an animal. In a study to prove this, visits were made to hospitalize suffering from heart failure. One visit was made with a dog and the other one without. There was a significant difference in the levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, where they were lower in the visits where dogs were involved. It is said that human beings are social people, and although the patients appreciate visits from other individuals, the company they obtain from friendly animals is unmatched.
Main Points and Areas of Additional Research
The core points in this review are majorly about how social relations are enhanced by human-animal interaction with animals. It runs across all ages, but research, however, suggests that there are more benefits for older people. It helps uplift their moods, reduces anxiety, and increases their relations (Beetz et al. 2012). More information on the benefits of animal’s company is available in areas where they are used for therapy. People have the power to decide for themselves whether or not to own pets. Individuals are also free to select pets of their preference. The correlation between the ownerships of animals and the psychological and physical wellbeing of people cannot be ignored.
Most people consider their pets, their friends, and more often talk and play with them. Some are seen to take their dogs for walks. It is an activity they enjoy, hence adding to their happiness. It is also a physical activity which improves their health. It is, however, essential to research more on the force that drives people to own pets. It is not so bright as to whether the results of the pet in healthier human beings or healthy individuals choose to own a pet. It is fundamental also to comprehend the differences and similarities between persons who decide to own pets or not. Proper understanding of the ownership of animals and how it impacts people’s health at a populace level will help open our eyes.
Relevance to Social Work
The review has proven that human-animal interaction plays a significant role in enhancing social life. Apart from promoting the wellbeing of people through speech, physical, occupational therapy, it also relevant in their work. The happiness and company derived from pets improve social life in many ways. People who own pets better interact with others as opposed to those that own none. Animals grow human to human interaction, and they offer more support for each other. People who own dogs are, for instance, more likely to interact and befriend more people in their efforts to walk their dogs (Clark 2010). They make it easy to break the ice when meeting strangers and form a good source of conversation. Social work is improved where these animals are used to boost people’s spirits. In an environment where pets are kept, there’s enhanced physical activity. It also tends to attract people, as seen in cases where children come together to play with pets. Motivated people to work better to produce better results. Pets have often been regarded as answers to societal issues. They give people chances to link with each other where they talk about them or watch them for entertainment. People going through challenging times take better care of themselves when they have a pet.
Conclusion
Research indicates that a majority of people own animals for some reason. They result in healthy living more so in the older generation, where there are more implications. There are also unique challenges associated with the ownership of animals. For instance, for older people, they are at risk of falling. The loss of a pet could also trigger depression and stress. Animals improve people’s lives in endless ways, and each person should consider owning a pet. They offer love, companionship, and good quality of life. People who feel the support live happier lives and are less lonely. An excellent way to, therefore, expand the mortality rate and reinforce human social interaction is owning pets.
References
Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in psychology, 3, 234.
Clark Cline, K. M. (2010). Psychological effects of dog ownership: Role strain, role enhancement, and depression. The Journal of social psychology, 150(2), 117-131.
Barker, S. B., & Wolen, A. R. (2008). The benefits of human-companion animal interaction: A review. Journal of veterinary medical education, 35(4), 487-495.
Curl, A. L., Bibbo, J., & Johnson, R. A. (2017). Dog walking, the human-animal bond, and older adults’ physical health. The Gerontologist, 57(5), 930-939.
Heinrichs, M., Baumgartner, T., Kirschbaum, C., & Ehlert, U. (2003). Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress. Biological psychiatry, 54(12), 1389-1398.