I am currently writing a research report for Introduction to Psychological Design and Statistics. I have to write the abstract, results, and discussion for this report. Can I please have some help with where I can improve? I have a rough draft that is not done yet

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are common mental health issues that affect a wide range of people at various stages of their lives. Understanding what people may modify or add to their life to help and alleviate these common mental health hurdles is critical. Previous research looked at the effects of human-pet contact and if those who had acquired a pet had lower levels of anxiety and depression, also finding that physical health was also improved. As a result, this current study aims to see if those who adopt a cat or a dog experience lower levels of anxiety and depression, and whether those who adopt a dog rather than a cat experience less levels of anxiety and depression. The sample of study included 200senior citizens across Australia (ages ranged from 50 to 87, M =64.9, SD =8.1, 46% female, 37.5 % male and 16.5% non-binary).This study utilised a cross-sectional, non-experimental design. On the day they adopted their pet, they were asked to participate in the study, and 6 months after adopting their pet. The measurement tool used was a self-evaluation, which involved filling out the DASS-21. The self-report survey includes 21 questions where participants would rate from 0 to 3 how true the question was to them. This measures feelings of depression and anxiety. To measure these results, two different tests were used to generate these results; A paired t-test was used to measure baseline-depression and anxiety and post-depression and anxiety which displayed a difference after the 6 month period. An independent sample t-test was used to measure post-depression and anxiety scores between those who adopted a dog and a cat and displayed no significant difference between either animal. These results highlight the potential of a positive association between human-animal interaction and how it can assist with depression and anxiety.

Results

Hypotheses 1 measured baseline depression scores which ranged from 3 to 13, (M= 7.3, SD= 1.8), and post-depression scores which ranged from 1 to 11, with a slightly lower mean (M= 6.3, SD= 1.7). The paired t-test used to calculate these scores which indicated that there was a significant difference between baseline depression scores and post-depression scores t(199) = 7.19, p = .0.00. Furthermore, hypotheses 2 measured baseline anxiety scores, which ranged from 0 to 9 (M= 5.1, SD= 1.6), and post-anxiety scores ranged from 1 to 9, (M= 4.6, SD= 1.7). There was a discrepancy between the baseline-anxiety score mean and post-anxiety score mean, with post-anxiety mean being lower than the baseline-anxiety score. This was reinforced by the paired t-test, which indicated that there was a significant difference between baseline-anxiety scores and post-anxiety scores t(199) = 3.83, p = .0002.

Both hypotheses 1 and 2 were measured using a paired t-test. Prior to beginning these tests, all relevant assumptions were validated and met.

Hypotheses 3 and 4 were measured using an independent sample t-test, all assumptions were met prior to this test being conducted.

Hypotheses 3 measured individuals post-depression scores who adopted a dog (M= 6.2, SD= 1.8), and those who adopted a cat (M= 6.4, SD= 1.7), t(198) = 0.89, p<.374. So, we fail to reject the null hypotheses.

Hypotheses 4 measured post-anxiety scores who adopted a dog (M= 4.5, SD= 1.7), and those who adopted a cat (M= 4.6, SD= 1.6), ), t(198) = 0.58, p<.563. So we again fail to reject the null hypotheses.

Discussion

The study's objective was to see if adopting a dog or a cat was associated with lower anxiety and depression levels, and if adopting a dog was associated with lower anxiety and depression levels rather than adopting a cat. The study showed there may be some correlation between adopting a pet and reducing anxiety and depression. The results of the first two test's support the hypotheses, as there was a decrease in scores of feeling anxious and depressed compared to baseline scores. In addition, the results of hypotheses 3 and 4 revealed that the type of pet you acquire, whether a dog or a cat, may not make a difference. As the data measuring hypothesis 3 and 4 were not significant.

The results presented with hypotheses 1 and 2 are to a degree, congruentwith some prior studies. There were some elements in which found to be linked with the results of this report. Gee et al. (2017) claims that pet owners experienced less psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression and attained major health benefits (Gee et al., 2017). This may explain why we found a difference with baseline depression scores and post-depression scores. Gee et al. (2017) states that more physical activity was involved with those who had pet's, their blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels were all optimal (Gee et al., 2017). This could be a contributing factor as to why participants of this study scored generally lower depression and anxiety scores. Moreover, these findings contradicted Mueller et al. (2021), which stated in their results that there is a greater possibility of depression in cat and dog owners (Mueller et al., 2021), which is contradicting to this reports results.

Hypotheses 3 and 4 both failed to reject the null hypotheses. Prior literature explores the potential correlation between dog owners having less anxiety and depression, although the results of this study were contrary ... (mueller) Sharpley et al. (2020) states that higher levels of oxytocin, a hormone commonly associated with decreased levels of anxiety (Sharpley et al., 2020). The test results displayed that cat owners displayed lower levels of anxiety rather than dog owners...

This report faced multiple strengths and implications. Like Sharpley et al. (2020), this study used an older demographic. With this in mind, this could cause some implications, as a younger generation may have generated different results, meaning the sample used may not be a true reflection for all parameters (Sharpley et al., 2020). The DASS measurement tool is a self-reported measurement. Although this is a convenient and simple method of measurement, it is not the most empirically accurate form of measurement and is prone to individual bias. Instead, I believe incorporating another, third party individual, to provide an unbiased feedback on that individual as well as the DASS report may provide a more accurate result. Furthermore, an ethical issue which should have been addressed prior to commencement of study is considering the animals welfare. Are the participants adopting these pets prepared to look after these pets and provide them with an exceptional quality of life?