To what extent do owners of pets with a chronic condition adjust?
Our last post discussed the process of adjusting to a diagnosis of a chronic illness. How do we gauge to what extent adjustment has, in fact, taken place? Do we ever check?
It has been proposed that there are several indicators of adjustment to chronic illness in humans diagnosed with a chronic illness. These include:
1. Mastery of illness-related tasks – managing the condition
2. The absence of psychological disorders – no evidence of depression, high stress or anxiety levels
3. Mood – low negative affect and high positive affect
4. Functional status returning to a near normal or improved level
5. Perceived good quality of life
It would seem reasonable to assume that the owner of a pet with say osteoarthritis or cardiovascular disease would need to gain some degree of mastery over managing the condition, be that in terms of administering medication or in terms of managing the life-style of the pet e.g. diet, exercise, environment etc. Furthermore, a certain degree of anxiety or depression in relation to their pets’ diagnosis and prognosis, coupled with their desire to provide a life worth living, would also be understandable.
So, to what extent do owners adjust to their pet’s diagnosis? What interventions can we design to help owners adjust more quickly, and / or more fully?
For references or to discuss this or any other customer insight needs, please contact Mo@mogannonassociates.com.
MG&A; Passionate about understanding the attitudes and behaviours of animal owners and designing interventions that really work