Pets and Mental Health Among Postgraduate University Students: A Narrative Review with Implications for Malaysia
Keywords:
postgraduate students, mental health, pet ownership, social support, Malaysia, companion animalsAbstract
Introduction:
Postgraduate students experience disproportionately high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to undergraduate peers and the general population. Pets are increasingly recognised as potential sources of psychosocial support, yet their role in shaping student wellbeing within Asian contexts remains underexplored. This narrative review synthesises evidence on the relationship between pet ownership and postgraduate student mental health, with a particular focus on Malaysian public university students.
Methods:
Relevant studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Google Scholar using combinations of terms related to “postgraduate students,” “mental health,” “pet ownership,” and “companion animals.” Articles published in English between 2015 and 2024 were included if they reported on student populations and examined psychosocial outcomes associated with pets. Data were narratively synthesised into major themes. As a narrative review integrating heterogeneous quantitative and qualitative evidence, the findings reflect associative patterns and conceptual trends rather than causal relationships. The absence of formal meta-analysis limits the ability to quantify effect sizes across studies.
Result:
Four recurring themes emerged: (i) pets as sources of social support mitigating loneliness and enhancing belonging; (ii) pets and psychological wellbeing through stress and anxiety reduction; (iii) pets as facilitators of coping and academic adjustment; and (iv) risks and contextual nuances including financial burdens, cultural sensitivities, and zoonotic concerns. Evidence from Western settings demonstrated consistent benefits, while emerging data from Asia highlighted the importance of cultural and religious factors in moderating outcomes.
Conclusion:
Pet ownership may provide meaningful psychosocial benefits to postgraduate students, yet these are context dependent. In Malaysia, the cultural acceptability of specific animals, financial pressures, and caregiving responsibilities shape how pets influence wellbeing. Further empirical research is required to establish culturally grounded, evidence-based approaches to incorporating animal companionship in student mental health promotion.
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