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Table 6 Univariable and multivariable associations between pet ownership at ages 2 and 5, and language development scores

From: Companion animals and child development outcomes: longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of a UK birth cohort study

   

Univariable

Multivariable (adjusted)

Age

 

N

B (95% CI)

p

B (95% CI)

p

 

Reynell Developmental Language Scale

     
 

Has any Pet

     

2

 

713

-1.17 (-2.47, 0.13)

0.077

-0.04 (-1.13, 1.05)

0.843

5

 

393

0.39 (-0.35, 1.13)

0.299

1.01 (0.18, 1.83)

0.017*

 

Has Dog

     

2

 

712

-1.89 (-3.71, -0.07)

0.041*

-1.09 (-2.58, 0.39)

0.149

5

 

393

-0.24 (-1.25, 0.77)

0.646

0.93 (-0.19, 2.04)

0.103

 

Has Cat

     

2

 

712

-0.78 (-2.15, 0.60)

0.270

-0.15 (-1.29, 0.99)

0.800

5

 

393

0.27 (-0.53, 1.09)

0.502

-0.24 (-1.10, 0.63)

0.595

 

Has other/miscellaneous pets

     

2

 

712

-2.23 (-6.05, 1.58)

0.251

-2.76 (-6.04, 0.52)

0.099

5

 

393

0.65 (-1.33, 2.63)

0.520

0.87 (-1.13, 2.88)

0.393

2

Total Communication Score (MacArthur)

     
 

Has any Pet

6112

1.31 (-1.33, 3.95)

0.330

0.27 (-1.71, 2.25)

0.787

 

Has Dog

6105

-1.01 (-4.43, 2.42)

0.565

-1.27 (-3.77, 1.24)

0.321

 

Has Cat

6107

-0.89 (-3.77, 2.00)

0.547

-1.56 (-3.72, 0.59)

0.154

 

Has other/miscellaneous pets

6108

-2.76 (-10.81, 5.29)

0.502

4.27 (-1.63, 10.18)

0.156

2

Vocabulary Score (MacArthur)

     
 

Has any Pet

6176

0.99 (-1.29, 3.28)

0.395

-0.02 (-1.80, 1.77)

0.985

 

Has Dog

6169

-0.79 (-3.75, 2.17)

0.602

-1.13 (0.33, -3.39)

0.326

 

Has Cat

6171

-0.72 (-3.22, 1.78)

0.572

-1.53 (-3.47, 0.42)

0.124

 

Has other/miscellaneous pets

6172

-2.09 (-9.07, 4.88)

0.556

3.78 (-1.55, 9.13)

0.164

2

Non-Verbal Communication Score (MacArthur)

     
 

Has any Pet

6150

0.22 (0.05, 0.39)

0.014*

0.18 (0.04, 0.32)

0.014*

 

Has Dog

6143

0.08 (-0.14, 0.31)

0.469

0.06 (-0.12, 0.24)

0.524

 

Has Cat

6145

0.02 (-0.17, 0.21)

0.823

0.05 (-0.10, 0.21)

0.517

 

Has other/miscellaneous pets

6146

-0.09 (-0.62, 0.44)

0.731

0.18 (-0.25, 0.60)

0.420

2

Social Development Score (MacArthur)

     
 

Has any Pet

6158

0.06 (-0.24, 0.36)

0.687

0.13 (-0.09, 0.36)

0.270

 

Has Dog

6151

-0.41 (-0.79, -0.03)

0.035*

-0.21 (-0.49, 0.08)

0.159

 

Has Cat

6153

-0.03 (-0.36, 0.29)

0.852

-0.03 (-0.27, 0.22)

0.829

 

Has other/miscellaneous pets

6154

0.25 (-0.66, 1.16)

0.587

0.67 (-0.01, 1.35)

0.053

  1. *P < .05
  2. Analyses were adjusted for: sex, ethnicity, maternal depression at almost 2 and 4 years, maternal anxiety at ages almost 2 and 4 years, overcrowding at 2 years, house type at ages 2 and 3 years, highest parental social class, maternal education, maternal age at delivery, home ownership status, family income and car ownership, birthweight, child has twin, child attended day care at 15 months, and 4 years, number of languages spoken in the home, developmental delay at 18 months, child temperament, older children living in the house, stressful life events at almost 2 and 4 years old and mother-child bonding at age 3 years
  3. Results did not differ when accounting for house type or dog walking (Number of times in typical week respondent walked or jogged with household dog(s)), therefore these variables were discarded from the final model
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BMC Pediatrics

ISSN: 1471-2431

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