What type of study is this?

This is a Observational study (also classified as: Literature Review).

August 19, 2025

Do Dogs Reduce Stress? Insights from Psychological Research

Key Points

Canine assisted intervention significantly reduces stress levels in college students, highlighting its potential efficacy.
The study found a decrease in cortisol levels, a key stress marker, indicating CAI's effectiveness.
This research involved an observational approach assessing psychological outcomes related to CAI and stress reduction.
The implications support further exploration of CAI, emphasizing its role in mental health interventions in academic settings.

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have observed an increase in stress and the mental health crisis has grown in prevalence, particularly in undergraduate students. In response, universities around the world have turned to different approaches to mitigate stress, including canine assisted intervention (CAI). But what is the efficacy of CAI? Research demonstrates a decrease in stress as measured by self-report biomarkers like salivary cortisol. Multiple underlying processes and theories help explain these outcomes including: Social support, biophilia, and the attachment theory. This paper explores the efficacy of CAI in reducing stress in college populations and examines the potential underlying theories that may support the common trend.

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Cite This Study

Zoe Chien (Tue,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/68af4953ad7bf08b1ead5135 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/2jexg_v1

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