Blacksburg, VA — Feeling stressed at work? Besides the negative effects it may be having on you and your family, new research shows your dog may be affected as well.
Using a sample of 85 workers who owned dogs, researchers from Virginia Tech asked participants to assess – based on a five-point scale – four different statements on job-related stress. Each worker was then asked to gauge their pet’s levels of stress based on 11 stress indicators. Among the behaviors: excessive nose or lip licking, avoiding eye contact, and excessive walking or pacing.
“The aim of this assessment was to use pet behaviors that owners can identify even if they do not recognize them as stress indicators to gauge their dog’s stress level to achieve a more pet-led, unbiased measurement of stress,” the study states.
Results show “support for a direct association” between an employee’s job stress and these pet behaviors.
“Given that 97% of Americans view their house pets as family members, protecting one’s pet dog may serve as a powerful motivator to improve one’s level of work stress and resist engaging in ruminative thoughts about work,” the researchers write. “This study also adds to the growing body of support that dog stress is correlated with their owners’ stress.”
The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
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Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication