Table 2 Emotional health results showing: Univariable and multivariable associations between pet ownership at age 8 and the likelihood of low self-esteem, as measured with the Harter self-perception profile subscales (scholastic competence and global self-worth) at age 8; Univariable and multivariable associations between pet ownership at ages 7, 10 and 13 and DAWBA (Development and Wellbeing Assessment) separation anxiety, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms at ages 7, 10 and 13 years. For depression findings please see additional file supplementary table 5

8

Self esteem - Scholastic Competence (low score ≤ 14)

Has any Pet

3951

0.81 (0.71, 0.92)

0.006*

0.85 (0.73, 0.98)

0.026*

Has Dog

3952

0.79 (0.68, 0.92)

0.002*

0.86 (0.74, 1.00)

0.054

Has Cat

3952

0.80 (0.71, 0.92)

0.001*

0.83 (0.73, 0.95)

0.006*

Has other/miscellaneous pets

3952

0.92 (0.81, 1.04)

0.197

0.94 (0.83, 1.07)

0.323

8

Self esteem - Global self-worth (low score ≤ 16)

Has any Pet

3938

0.91 (0.78, 1.05)

0.199

0.93 (0.79, 1.09)

0.368

Has Dog

3939

0.97 (0.83, 1.14)

0.747

1.05 (0.89, 1.24)

0.544

Has Cat

3939

0.92 (0.80, 1.06)

0.244

0.94 (0.81, 1.08)

0.374

Has other /miscellaneous pets

3939

0.94 (0.82, 1.07)

0.338

0.95 (0.83, 1.09)

0.451

Separation Anxiety (any separation anxiety symptom(s) “a lot more than others”)

Has any Pet

7

6638

1.01 (0.82, 1.24)

0.945

0.99 (0.79, 1.22)

0.895

10

6375

1.15 (0.91, 1.46)

0.230

1.16 (0.91, 1.48)

0.220

13

2387

1.24 (0.69, 2.20)

0.465

1.15 (0.64, 2.07)

0.639

Has Dog

7

6635

0.96 (0.76, 1.22)

0.778

0.95 (0.75, 1.21)

0.692

10

6374

1.11 (0.88, 1.39)

0.376

1.12 (0.88, 1.41)

0.365

13

2390

1.30 (0.80, 2.11)

0.289

1.18 (0.71, 1.94)

0.525

Has Cat

7

6634

1.27 (0.95, 1.43)

0.132

1.11 (0.91, 1.36)

0.312

10

6374

1.22 (0.98, 1.50)

0.069

1.18 (0.95, 1.46)

0.138

13

2391

1.57 (0.98, 2.50)

0.059

1.49 (0.93, 2.40)

0.101

Has other/miscellaneous pets

7

6635

1.04 (0.86, 1.26)

0.688

1.04 (0.85, 1.26)

0.714

10

6374

1.02 (0.83, 1.24)

0.886

1.03 (0.84, 1.27)

0.776

13

2389

0.86 (0.54, 1.38)

0.545

0.83 (0.52, 1.34)

0.450

Social Anxiety (any social fears “a lot”)

Has any Pet

7

7208

1.28 (1.01, 1.62)

0.040*

1.31 (1.03, 1.67)

0.027*

10

6714

1.23 (0.97, 1.55)

0.092

1.25 (0.98, 1.59)

0.068

13

2604

1.44 (0.99, 2.09)

0.056

1.30 (0.89, 1.90)

0.178

Has Dog

7

7204

0.91 (0.70, 1.17)

0.467

0.92 (0.71, 1.19)

0.529

10

6713

1.04 (0.83, 1.30)

0.724

1.05 (0.83, 1.33)

0.679

13

2608

1.10 (0.80, 1.51)

0.533

0.97 (0.70, 1.34)

0.847

Has Cat

7

7203

1.18 (0.95, 1.46)

0.131

1.15 (0.92, 1.42)

0.221

10

6713

1.13 (0.91, 1.39)

0.257

1.10 (0.89, 1.36)

0.382

13

2609

1.08 (0.79, 1.47)

0.627

1.05 (0.77, 1.44)

0.771

Has other/miscellaneous pets

7

7204

1.24 (1.01, 1.52)

0.035*

1.28 (1.04, 1.57)

0.021*

10

6713

1.10 (0.90, 1.35)

0.326

1.14 (0.93, 1.39)

0.197

13

2607

1.06 (0.79, 1.41)

0.713

0.99 (0.73, 1.33)

0.920

Generalized Anxiety (any of the worries “often”)

Has any Pet

7

7244

1.05 (0.87, 1.27)

0.568

1.06 (0.88, 1.28)

0.544

10

2890

1.03 (0.83, 1.27)

0.820

1.01 (0.81, 1.26)

0.933

13

1126

1.22 (0.84, 1.76)

0.294

1.13 (0.77, 1.66)

0.524

Has Dog

7

7240

0.98 (0.80, 1.20)

0.872

0.98 (0.79, 1.20)

0.828

10

2889

1.19 (0.97, 1.47)

0.089

1.17 (0.95, 1.46)

0.145

13

1129

1.10 (0.79, 1.53)

0.547

0.98 (0.69, 1.38)

0.891

Has Cat

7

7239

1.19 ( 0.99, 1.41)

0.055

1.12 (0.94, 1.34)

0.205

10

2889

1.25 (1.03, 1.51)

0.022*

1.19 (0.99, 1.46)

0.068

13

1130

1.14 (0.83, 1.55)

0.419

1.08 (0.78, 1.50)

0.647

Has other/miscellaneous pets

7

7240

1.07 (0.91, 1.27)

0.379

1.11 (0.94, 1.32)

0.215

10

2889

1.05 (0.87, 1.26)

0.632

1.02 (0.85, 1.24)

0.803

13

1128

1.05 (0.78, 1.42)

0.735

1.02 (0.75, 1.40)

0.890