Association Between Pets and Mental Health in University Students with Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms

Approximately 9.7% of university students exhibit symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD), characterized by poor self-identity, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation. Caring for a pet may enhance self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose, potentially benefiting those with BPD. This study aimed to explore the relationship between pet ownership and mental health in 346 university students with BPD symp-toms. Participants were divided into pet owners and non-pet owners, and self-report questionnaires assessed their mental health. Results showed no significant differences in negative mental health outcomes between the two groups. However, pet owners demonstrated higher levels of inner strength, including wisdom (p = 0.034) and precepts (p = 0.011). Notably, dog owners reported lower anxiety (p = 0.008), depression (p = 0.036), and somatization (p = 0.011), while scoring higher in self-esteem (p = 0.025) and various measures of mental well-being. These findings suggest that pet ownership, especially of dogs, may positively impact mental health among university students with BPD symptoms. Future research should explore intervention-based approaches to validate these results.