CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 200Human-Animal Interaction StudiesStress Responses and CortisolAnimal Behavior and Welfare Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 6 of the 6 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The presence of a dog attenuates cortisol and heart rate in the Trier Social Stress Test compared to human friends

Polheber, John P., Matchock, Robert L.·2014·Journal of Behavioral Medicine
DOI 10.1007/s10865-013-9546-1
Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Limited research has addressed how social support in the form of a pet can affect both sympathetic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reactivity in response to a psychological challenge. The present study examined the effects of social support on salivary cortisol and heart rate (HR). Forty-eight participants were randomly assigned to three different conditions (human friend, novel dog, or control). All participants completed the Trier Social Stress Test and provided cortisol, HR, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory measures. For participants paired with a dog, overall cortisol levels were attenuated throughout the experimental procedure, and HR was attenuated during the Trier Social Stress Test. For all groups, state anxiety increased after the Trier Social Stress Test, and HR during the Trier Social Stress Test was a predictor of cortisol. These results suggest that short-term exposure to a novel dog in an unfamiliar setting can be beneficial. They also suggest a possible mechanism for the beneficial effect associated with affiliation with pets.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s10865-013-9546-1

Cites

0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

We couldn’t retrieve this paper’s full text, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 47

  1. Allen, K. M., Blascovich, J., Tomaka, J., & Kelsey, R. M. (1991). Presence of human friends and pet dogs as moderators of autonomic responses to stress in women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 582–589. · DOI · Paper page
  2. Anderson, W. P., Reid, C. M., & Jennings, G. L. (1992). Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 157, 298–301. · DOI · Paper page
  3. Arhant-Sudhir, K., Arhant-Sudhir, R., & Sudhir, K. (2011). Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk reduction: Supporting evidence, conflicting data and underlying mechanisms. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 38, 734–738. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2011.05583.x · DOI
  4. Barker, S. B., Knisely, J. S., McCain, N. L., Schubert, C. M., & Pandurangi, A. K. (2010). Exploratory study of stress buffering response patterns from interaction with a therapy dog. Anthrozoos, 23, 79–91. doi: 10.2752/175303710x12627079939341 · DOI · Paper page
  5. Barker, S. B., & Wolen, A. R. (2008). The benefits of human-companion animal interaction: A review. Journal of Veterinary and Medical Education, 35, 487–495. · DOI
  6. Case, R. B., Moss, A. J., Case, N., McDermont, M., & Eberly, S. (1992). Living alone after myocardial infarction: Impact on prognosis. Journal of the American Medical Association, 267, 515–519. · DOI
  7. Collins, P., Al-Nakeeb, Y., Neveill, A., & Lyons, M. (2012). The impact of the built environment on young people’s physical activity patterns: A suburban-rural comparison using GPS. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9, 3030–3050. doi: 10.3390/ijerph9093030 · DOI
  8. Creswell, J. D., Pacilio, L. E., Denson, T. F., & Satyshur, M. (2013). The effect of a primary sexual reward manipulation on cortisol responses to psychosocial stress in men. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75, 397–403. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0b013e31828c4524 · DOI
  9. Denson, T. F., Creswell, J. D., & Granville-Smith, I. (2012). Self-focus and social evaluative threat increase salivary cortisol responses to acute stress in men. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 35, 624–633. · DOI
  10. Friedman, E. M., Karlamangla, A. S., Almeida, D. M., & Seeman, T. E. (2012). Social strain and cortisol regulation in midlife in the US. Social Science and Medicine, 74, 607–615. · DOI · Paper page
  11. Friedman, E., Katcher, A. H., Thomas, S. A., Lynch, J. J., & Messent, P. R. (1983). Social interaction and blood pressure: Influence of animal companions. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, 171, 461–465. · DOI
  12. Friedmann, E., Katcher, A. H., Lynch, J. J., & Thomas, S. A. (1980). Animal companions and one-year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95, 307–312.
  13. Friedmann, E., & Thomas, S. A. (1995). Pet ownership, social support, and one-year survival after acute myocardial infarction in the cardiac arrhythmia suppression trial (CAST). American Journal of Cardiology, 76, 1213–1217. · DOI · Paper page
  14. Friedmann, E., Thomas, S. A., Kulick-Ciuffo, D., Lynch, J. J., & Suginohara, M. (1982). The effects of normal and rapid speech on blood pressure. Psychosomatic Medicine, 44, 545–553. · DOI
  15. Friedmann, E., Thomas, S. A., Stein, P. K., & Kleiger, R. E. (2003). Relation between pet ownership and heart rate variability in patients with healed myocardial infarcts. American Journal of Cardiology, 91, 718–721. · DOI
  16. 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, 1389–1398. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3223(03)00465-7 · DOI · Paper page
  17. Hoyert, D. L., & Xu, J. (2013). 2011 Preliminary death data released. Public Health Reports, 128, 131. · DOI
  18. Jennings, L. B. (1997). Potential benefits of pet ownership in health promotion. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 15, 358–372. · DOI
  19. Jönsson, P., Wallergård, M., Österberg, K., Hansen, Å. M., Johansson, G., & Karlson, B. (2010). Cardiovascular and cortisol reactivity and habituation to a virtual reality version of the trier social stress test: A pilot study. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 35, 1397–1403. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.04.003 · DOI
  20. Kamarck, T. W., Manuck, S. B., & Jennings, J. R. (1990). Social support reduces cardiovascular reactivity to psychological challenge: A laboratory model. Psychosomatic Medicine, 52, 42–58. · DOI
  21. Kingwell, B., Lomdahl, A., & Anderson, W. (2001). Presence of a pet dog and human cardiovascular responses to mild mental stress. Clinical Autonomic Research, 11, 313–317. doi: 10.1007/bf02332977 · DOI
  22. Kirschbaum, C., Pirke, K. M., & Hellhammer, D. H. (1993). The Trier Social Stress Test—A tool for investigating psychobiological stress responses in the laboratory setting. Neuropsychobiology, 28, 76–81. · DOI · Paper page
  23. Kirschbaum, C., Pirke, K. M., & Hellhammer, D. H. (1995). Preliminary evidence for reduced cortisol responsivity to psychological stress in women using oral contraceptive medication. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 20, 509–514. · DOI
  24. Kudielka, B. M., Wüst, S., Kirschbaum, C., & Hellhammer, D. H. (2007). Trier social stress test (pp. 776–781). London: Academic Press.
  25. Lesniak, K. T., & Dubbert, P. M. (2001). Exercise and hypertension. Current Opinions in Cardiology, 16, 356–359. · DOI
  26. Long, J. M., Lynch, J. J., Machiran, N. M., Thomas, S. A., & Malinow, K. L. (1982). The effect of status on blood pressure during verbal communications. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 5, 165–172. · DOI
  27. Looser, R. R., Metzenthin, P., Helfricht, S., Kudielka, B. M., Loerbroks, A., Thayer, J. F., et al. (2010). Cortisol is significantly correlated with cardiovascular responses during high levels of stress in critical care personnel. Psychosomatic Medicine, 72, 281–289. · DOI
  28. Mugford, R. A., & M’Comisky, J. G. (1975). Therapeutic value of cage birds with old people. In R. S. Anderson (Ed.), Pet animals and society. London: Bailiere and Tindall.
  29. Munsell, K. L., Canfield, M., Templer, D. I., Tangan, K., & Arikawa, H. (2004). Modification of the pet attitude scale. Society and Animals, 12, 137–142. · DOI
  30. Nagasawa, M., Nagasawa, M., Mogi, K., & Kikusui, T. (2009). Attachment between humans and dogs. Japanese Psychological Research, 51, 209–221. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-884.2009.00402.x · DOI
  31. Nordstrom, C. K., Dwyer, K. M., Merz, C. N. B., Shircore, A., & Dwyer, J. H. (2001). Work-related stress and early atherosclerosis. Epidemiology, 12, 180–185. doi: 10.2307/3703620 · DOI
  32. Oka, K., & Shibata, A. (2009). Dog ownership and health-related physical activity among Japanese adults. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 6, 412–418. · DOI · Paper page
  33. Pruessner, J. C., Kirschbaum, C., Meinlschmid, G., & Hellhamer, D. H. (2003). Two formulas for computation of the area under the curve represent measures of total hormone concentration versus time-dependent change. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 28, 916–931. · DOI · Paper page
  34. Qureshi, A. I., Memon, M. Z., Vazquez, G., & Suri, M. F. K. (2009). Cat ownership and the risk of fatal cardiovascular diseases. Results from the second national health and nutrition examination study mortality follow-up study. Journal of Vascular Intervention and Neurology, 2, 132–135.
  35. Rodriguez-Laso, A., Zunzunegui, M. V., & Otero, A. (2007). The effect of social relationships on survival in elderly residents of a Southern European community: A cohort study. Geriatrics, 7, 19. · DOI
  36. Sapolsky, R. M., Krey, L. C., & McEwen, B. S. (1985). Prolonged glucocorticoid exposure reduces hippocampal neuron number: implications for aging. Journal of Neuroscience, 5, 1222. · DOI · Paper page
  37. Somervill, J. W., Kruglikova, Y. A., Robertson, R. L., Hanson, L. M., & MacLin, O. H. (2008). Physiological responses by college students to a dog and a cat: Implications for pet therapy. North American Journal of Psychology, 10, 519–528.
  38. Spiegel, D., Bloom, J., & Kraemer, H. (1989). Effect of psychosocial treatment on survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Lancet, 2, 888–891. · DOI · Paper page
  39. Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., & Lushene, R. E. (1970). STAI Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (“Self-evaluation questionnaire”). Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologists Press.
  40. Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. STAI (Form Y): Consulting Psychologists Press Inc.
  41. Uchino, B. N., & Garvey, T. S. (1997). The availability of social support reduces cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 20, 15–27. · DOI
  42. Van Den Berg, A. A., & Custers, M. H. G. (2011). Gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. Journal of Health Psychology, 16, 3–11. · DOI · Paper page
  43. Viau, R., Arsenault-Lapierre, G., Fecteau, S., Champagne, N., Walker, C.-D., & Lupien, S. (2010). Effect of service dogs on salivary cortisol secretion in autistic children. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 35, 1187–1193. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.02.004 · DOI
  44. Vormbrock, J. K., & Grossberg, J. M. (1988). Cardiovascular effects of human-pet dog interactions. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 11, 509–517. · DOI
  45. Wilson, C. C. (1987). Physiological responses of college students to a pet. Journal of Nervous and Mental disorders, 175, 606–612. doi: 10.1097/00005053-198710000-00005 · DOI
  46. Winefield, H. R., Winefield, A. H., & Tiggemann, M. (1992). Social support and psychological well-being in young adults: The multidimensional support scale. Journal of Personality and Assessment, 58, 198–210. · DOI
  47. Zasloff, R. L., & Kidd, A. H. (1994). Loneliness and pet ownership among single women. Psychological Reports, 75, 747–752. · DOI

Cited by

Sorted by citations

See all 200

Metadata

Authors
Polheber, J. P., & Matchock, R. L.
Affiliations
Pennsylvania State University (US)
Corresponding author
Matchock, Robert L.
Venue
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2013-10-30
Volume
37
Issue
5
Pages
860-867
ISSN
  • 0160-7715 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3521
DOI
10.1007/s10865-013-9546-1
OpenAlex
W2077223757
Cited by
200
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 2
FWCI
4.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Keywords
human-animal interaction, pet dogs, social support, salivary cortisol, heart rate, Trier Social Stress Test, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, state anxiety, stress reactivity, human-animal bond
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Animals, Anxiety, Dogs, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Saliva, Social Support, Stress, Psychological, Friends, Pets

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review