The Role of Human-Animal Interactions in Stress Reduction among Adults in Nyeri Central Sub-County, Kenya
Joy Makena Muchunku, Amissah Anthony & Waititu Pauline
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Department of Counseling Psychology
Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Email: jmuchunku@gmail.com
Abstract: Mental health challenges, particularly stress-related conditions, have been increasing in Nyeri County, Kenya, while human-animal interactions remain a routine part of daily rural and peri-urban life. This study examined the effect of human-animal interactions on stress reduction among adults in Nyeri Central Sub-County, Kenya, addressing four objectives: the extent and nature of human-animal contact, emotional attachment to animals, perceived stress levels, and the relationship between interaction frequency/quality and stress reduction. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used; 384 survey respondents were selected through stratified, simple random, and purposive sampling, and 15 key informants were purposively selected. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS, and qualitative data were analysed thematically. All respondents (100%) reported regular contact with animals, mostly livestock, dogs and cats, largely on a daily basis. Emotional attachment (M = 4.30, SD = 0.528), human-animal interaction (M = 4.27, SD = 0.484), psychological wellbeing (M = 4.19, SD = 0.493), and stress reduction outcomes (M = 4.15, SD = 0.486) were all rated highly, while perceivedstress was moderate (M = 2.96, SD = 0.839). Human-animal interaction was a significant predictor of stress reduction (β = .534, p < .001), and psychological wellbeing partially mediated this relationship. The findings indicate that human-animal interaction is a culturally appropriate and effective stress-reduction strategy for adults in livestock-keeping communities in Kenya. The study recommends incorporating human-animal interaction into community mental health promotion, agricultural extension services, and counseling psychology practice.
