Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center (GNIRC)

Title: Ethnic Elders, Pet Attachment, Health and Well-Being
Principal Investigator: Rebecca Johnson, PhD, RN
Study Site: University of Missouri-Columbia

Abstract
The proposed pilot study is a collaborative effort between the Principal Investigator, from the School of Nursing and the Co-Investigator, Dr. Richard Meadows, Assistant Professor from the College of Veterinary Medicine. It aims to ascertain whether a relationship exists between pet attachment, self perceived health, and functional ability among community-dwelling African-American and Latino elders. It further aims to compare attachment to a pet dog across ethnic groups. A cross-sectional, quantitative design will be used to study 60 elders from each ethnic group who are dog owners recruited from Veterinary Practices (n=120), and 60 elders from each ethnic group who are not dog owners recruited from churches and congregate mealsites (n=120). Telephone interviews will be conducted with subjects by staff of the MU Center for Advanced Social Research of the School of Journalism. The Iowa Self Assessment Inventory (measuring functional ability and resources), the Pet Relationship Scale, the Pet Attitude Inventory, and the Self-Perceived Health Questionnaire will be used with a Demographic Questionnaire. Data analysis will include descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis for determination of relationships.