Dog Presence and Oxytocin on Trust Towards Therapists

Summary

Oxytocin has been proposed as a neuroendocrine mechanism that may mediate the relationship between dog ownership and positive health outcomes and be linked to human-dog interactions and is thought to be a mechanism of interspecies bonding. While the role of oxytocin in human bonding behaviours and social behaviour, in general, is becoming well-established the role of oxytocin in human-animal interaction and Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) remains unclear. This research gap calls for more high-quality research investigating this possible neuroendocrine underlying mechanism to advance knowledge about AAI. If oxytocin indeed might be involved in interspecies bonding, intranasally administered oxytocin should not only enhance trust toward a human but also towards a dog.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Being scared of dogs or dog hair allergy by self-report
* Any acute or chronic disease (e.g., chronic pain, hypertension, heart disease, renal disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, skin pathologies etc.)
* Current medications (psychoactive medication, narcotics, intake of analgesics) or being currently in psychological or psychiatric treatment
* Drug consumption (THC, cocaine, heroin, etc.) within the past 24h before study appointment
* Ongoing psychotherapy treatment
* Sexual Intercourse within the past 24h before study appointment
* Current disease involving respiratory system (e.g., influence, asthma etc.)
* Insufficient German language skills to understand the instructions

Conditions3

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