Researchers have found that pet companionship can significantly ease depression and loneliness in adults aged 50 and older following the death or divorce of a partner. The study analyzed depressive symptoms and feelings of isolation in this group.
Comparing those who lost a partner to continuously married individuals, the team assessed how pet ownership at the time of loss affected outcomes.
All participants who experienced partner loss reported higher depression levels. However, those without pets saw sharper increases in depressive symptoms and greater loneliness compared to pet owners. Notably, pet owners were no lonelier than older adults who faced no such losses.
