Table 1:
Demographic, health and pet-ownership characteristics of focus group participants (n=25)
| Variable | Percentage (n) or mean (standard deviation) |
|---|---|
| Demographics | |
| Age Group | |
| 70–75 years | 76% (19) |
| 76–80 years | 12% (3) |
| 81–85 years | 12% (3) |
| Female | 68% (17) |
| Race/ethnicity | |
| White non-Hispanic | 96% (24) |
| American Indian | 4% (1) |
| Education | |
| Some college or less | 28% (7) |
| Four-year degree | 24% (6) |
| Beyond four-year degree | 44% (11) |
| Married/long-term partner | 44% (11) |
| Retired | 72% (18) |
| Health | |
| Chronic health conditions (ever diagnosed)a |
|
| Arthritis | 72% (18) |
| High blood pressure | 60% (15) |
| Depression | 36% (9) |
| Average pain intensity in last week (1=no pain to 10=worst imaginable pain) |
4.3 (SD=1.8; observed range 2 – 7.5) |
| Meet criteria for high impact chronic painb | 48% (12) |
| Pet ownership characteristics | |
| Dog(s) | 60% (15) |
| Cat(s) | 40% (7) |
| Both cat(s) and dog(s) | 12% (3) |
a
Conditions endorsed by less than 30% of the sample: Heart disease (28%), cancer (20%), lung disease (12%), diabetes (8%), asthma (8%), stroke (0%).
b
Defined as “usually” or “always” having pain interference over the last six months in activities related to work (including housework or volunteering), social and recreational activities, or self-care.