The research team of Professor Kazutaka Mogi, Professor Takefumi Kikusui (Director) of the Center for Symbiotic Science of Humans and Animals, Azabu University, and Dr. Shudo Yamazaki, Senior Researcher of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, has been raising dogs for teenage children. It was revealed that the mental health of the dog was improved.
Dogs are the oldest livestock that appeared between 1 and over 5 years ago and began to live in harmony with humans.In the process of this symbiosis, dogs and humans may secrete the hormone "oxytocin", which is involved in bond formation and trust, through the line of sight, and a mutually beneficial relationship between mind and body may be established.
"Oxytocin" has been said to have various positive effects on the human mind and body, such as reducing anxiety, relieving stress, intestinal regulation, pain relief, and tension relief. It was not clear what effect it would have on adolescents, especially during the sensitive period.
Therefore, the Center for Symbiotic Science of Humans and Animals participated in the Tokyo Teen Cohort Study (TTC), which was conducted in advance at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, and investigated the relationship between the presence or absence of dog breeding and the Wellbeing defined by WHO. rice field. Wellbeing is described in the 1984 WHO verification as "health refers to all wellbeing situations in physical, mental and social aspects, and does not simply mean that it is not sick or sick." It means a new "health" that includes not only the physical aspect but also the mental and social aspects.
A survey of 2584 children participating in the TTC found that, as in previous studies, well-being in sensitive periods declined from age 10 to age 12.However, it was found that in children with dogs (252, 9.9%), wellbeing was maintained at a high value and a positive effect was achieved compared with children who did not.In addition, no such effect was observed in cats.
This study also found that breeding dogs may be effective in dealing with various problems such as school refusal, bullying, and anorexia nervosa, which are common in adolescents.In the future, it is expected to clarify what kind of experience of breeding dogs specifically affects what kind of mental and physical functions from a behavioral and endocrinological point of view.
Azabu University "Human and Animal Symbiotic Science Center" is positioned as a successor to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's private university research branding project "Realization of a human healthy society through the creation of animal symbiotic science". Established in the research department of the institute as an advanced version of project research.Based on research, we aim to explore and realize a new form of symbiosis between humans, animals, and the environment by deepening the education of students involved and the connection with society.
