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THE RELATION OF PET OWNERSHIP PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS REGULAR PHYSICALEXERCISE AND SMOKING IN WHITE COLLAR WORKERS OF A SPECIAL COMPANY INBESIKTAS REGION OF ISTANBUL     
Yazarlar
Sibel Cevizci
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Prof. Dr. Ülken Tunga BABAOĞLU
Ahi Evran Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Halim İşsever
İstanbul Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Ethem Erginöz
İstanbul Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Özet
Objective: Psychological stress, which deteriorates mental and physical health of individuals at their working environment, is an important problem for public health and health at work. Recent studies have indicated that living with animals might be beneficial for individuals with physical, mental and social health problems, and it could even increase the quality of life in these people. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between pet ownership, psychological stress level, regular exercising, and smoking among white collar workers. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, 212 out of 230 white collar workers (92%), who worked for a business company in Besiktas district of Istanbul, were enrolled. 12-ltem General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were applied to define psychological stress levels and mental health conditions of the workers. Data obtained from GHQ-12 was evaluated by using Goldberg type grading method (0-0-1-1). Sociodemographic characteristics of participants, and information about the relationship between pet ownership, and smoking, regular exercising were obtained by a questionnaire form made up of close- and open-ended questions. Data were evaluated by percentage distribution, Chi square test and Mann Whitney U test. Results: Of the participants, 51 were female, 161 were male, and the mean of age was 30.65±3.56 years. Among the participants, 82 had pets and 130 individuals had no pet. Rate of pet owners was 98.7% in our study group with total score of GHQ-12 <1, whereas all participants with the score of 2-3 (moderate) had pets. Moreover, 129 participants, the entire group except one individual, with the total score of GHQ-12 >4 expressed that they had no pets. GHQ-12 scores among pet owners were statistically significantly lower than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Smoking rate was statistically significantly higher among participants without pets than the rate in pet owners (p<0.001). Pet owner participants were exercising significantly more regularly than the ones without pets (p<0.001). Conclusion: As far as the reported changes in behavior and attitudes of participants, pet ownership had favorable effects in healthy life behaviors like nutrition, regular exercising, and non-smoking. According to the results of General Health Questionnaire among workers, psychological stress level was higher among participants without pets. We believe that having apetcanbe supportive for improving physical and mental health conditions of individuals, who are working under stressful conditions.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Occupational health | Ownership | Pets | Physical exercise | Psychological stress | Smoking
Makale Türü Özgün Makale
Makale Alt Türü SSCI, AHCI, SCI, SCI-Exp dergilerinde yayımlanan tam makale
Dergi Adı NOBEL MEDICUS
Dergi ISSN 1305-2381
Dergi Tarandığı Indeksler SCI-Expanded
Makale Dili Türkçe
Basım Tarihi 09-2012
Cilt No 8
Sayı 3
Sayfalar 52 / 59
BM Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Atıf Sayıları
SCOPUS 5
Google Scholar 3

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