Association Between Pet Attachment and Depressive Symptoms from Perspective of Regulating Effects of Alienation Sense and Oxytocin

Relapse prevention and function rehabilitation of major depressive disorder (MDD) are main issues faced by general public. This study aimed to explore association between pet attachment, sense of alienation, oxytocin (OT), and depressive symptoms in MDD rehabilitees for promoting MDD prevention and rehabilitation. A total of 284 pet dog owners served as study group and 284 non-pet owners as control group were assessed using Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS), General Alienation Scale (GAS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). OT was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed total LAPS score and OT were higher, and 4 dimensional scores of GAS and PHQ-9 were lower in study group. ROC curve, constructed using LAPS as testing variable, showed area under curve was 0.822. Scores of LAPS was higher and of PHQ-9 was lower in urban residents and females. LAPS, GAS, and OT could predict PHQ-9 and account for 74.60% of PHQ-9 variance in study group. Mediating effects of GAS and OT between LAPS and PHQ-9 were 28.46% and 11.09%, respectively. Taken together, pet attachment could alleviate depressive symptoms by reducing sense of alienation and increasing OT. Pet ownership has greater advantages for MDD prevention in females and urban residents.