Neighborhood Engagement, Dogs, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adulthood.

TitleNeighborhood Engagement, Dogs, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adulthood.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsCurl, AL, Bibbo, J, Johnson, RA
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Date Published2020 Sep 10
ISSN Number1552-4523
KeywordsEngagement, Life Satisfaction, neighborhood
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationships between dog ownership, dog walking, and the emotional bond with a dog to neighborhood engagement and life satisfaction among those over age 50.

METHOD: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study ( = 476), two path analysis models were conducted to test the research hypotheses.

RESULTS: Findings indicated that dog ownership did not have a direct or indirect relationship on life satisfaction. However, time spent in dog walking was associated with frequency of social interactions, which itself had a positive association with life satisfaction. The bond with a dog was not directly associated with life satisfaction but was associated with dog walking.

DISCUSSION: Dog walking is a promising strategy for simultaneously promoting better health and social engagement, and these factors in turn can promote greater life satisfaction of older adults.

DOI10.1177/0733464820953725
Citation Key11061
PubMed ID32909494