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Animais de estimação e qualidade de vida em adultos mais velhos
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| 3.32 MB | Adobe PDF |
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Abstract(s)
O crescente envelhecimento populacional é uma realidade observada em muitos países, especialmente na Europa, como resultado do aumento da esperança de vida e da baixa taxa de natalidade. Essa alteração demográfica trouxe a necessidade de compreender e lidar com os desafios associados a essa fase do ciclo de vida, que nem sempre é acompanhada de qualidade de vida. Nas últimas décadas, a relação entre humanos e animais tem passado por transformações, o que tem contribuído para uma reconfiguração dos papéis desempenhados pelos animais de estimação na sociedade, especialmente pelos cães. A pesquisa objetivou investigar a relação entre adultos mais velhos e cães de estimação e avaliar a influência dos mesmos na sua qualidade de vida. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, qualitativo, de caráter descritivo e exploratório, recorrendo à técnica da entrevista semiestruturada. A amostra é composta por oito pessoas com 60 anos ou mais, residentes na cidade de Quarteira. Os resultados obtidos destacam a conexão especial entre idosos e os seus cães de estimação, considerados membros da família. A convivência traz benefícios como companhia, atividade física e socialização. Os cães contribuem para a redução da tristeza e da depressão, aumentam a felicidade, a energia positiva, o entusiasmo, a disposição, a distração, o estímulo mental, as aprendizagens, a responsabilidade, o valor, o propósito e o sentido de vida. Também oferecem carinho, amor, consolo e podem suprir perdas humanas, despertando uma vontade renovada de viver. Conclui-se que os cães de estimação exercem uma influência positiva na qualidade de vida dos idosos, proporcionando benefícios a nível biológico, psicológico e social.
The growing ageing population is a reality observed in many countries, especially in Europe, as a result of the rising life expectancy and low birth rate. This demographic change brought the need to understand and deal with the challenges connected to this step of the life cycle, which has not always been accompanied by quality of life. In recent decades, the human animal relationships have gone through transformations, which have contributed to a reconfiguration of the roles played by pets in society, espe cially dogs. This research aimed to investigate the connection between older adults and pet dogs, and to evaluate the dog’s influence on the quality of life of ageing citizens. This is a cross sectional, qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, usin g the semistructured interview technique. The sample consists of eight people aged 60 or over, living in the city of Quarteira. The results obtained highlight the special connection between seniors and their pet dogs, which are considered members of the family. Coexistence brings benefits such as company, physical activity and socialization. Dogs play a role on the decrease of sadness and depression, and increase happiness, positive energy, enthusiasm, mood, distraction, mental stimulation, learning, responsibility, value, purpose and meaning of life. They also offer affection, love and comfort, and can overcome human losses, awakening a renewed willingness to live and provi ding strength and security. It is concluded that pet dogs have a positive influence on the quality of life of the elderly, providing several biopsychosocial benefits.
The growing ageing population is a reality observed in many countries, especially in Europe, as a result of the rising life expectancy and low birth rate. This demographic change brought the need to understand and deal with the challenges connected to this step of the life cycle, which has not always been accompanied by quality of life. In recent decades, the human animal relationships have gone through transformations, which have contributed to a reconfiguration of the roles played by pets in society, espe cially dogs. This research aimed to investigate the connection between older adults and pet dogs, and to evaluate the dog’s influence on the quality of life of ageing citizens. This is a cross sectional, qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, usin g the semistructured interview technique. The sample consists of eight people aged 60 or over, living in the city of Quarteira. The results obtained highlight the special connection between seniors and their pet dogs, which are considered members of the family. Coexistence brings benefits such as company, physical activity and socialization. Dogs play a role on the decrease of sadness and depression, and increase happiness, positive energy, enthusiasm, mood, distraction, mental stimulation, learning, responsibility, value, purpose and meaning of life. They also offer affection, love and comfort, and can overcome human losses, awakening a renewed willingness to live and provi ding strength and security. It is concluded that pet dogs have a positive influence on the quality of life of the elderly, providing several biopsychosocial benefits.
Description
Keywords
Envelhecimento Relação humano-animal Cães de estimação Qualidade de vida.