Many people love to raise cats, and some believe that cuddling a cat has a "positive effect." However, a new study suggests that interaction with these animals may have harmful effects on mental health in the future. According to a report by Fox News, research published in "Schizophrenia Bulletin" found that individuals who have contact with cats may have more than double the chances of developing schizophrenia and other similar mental disorders later in life.
Australian researchers from the University of Queensland conducted a systematic review of 17 studies conducted in 11 countries between January 1, 1980, and May 30, 2023, all focusing on participants who owned cats in the first 25 years of their lives and experienced outcomes related to schizophrenia, according to the researchers. The new study suggests that exposure to cats early in life could have harmful effects on mental health in the future, potentially including psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorders.
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects a person’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, according to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. Those affected by this disorder may also face cognitive challenges, loss of motivation, withdrawal from social activities, difficulty expressing emotions, and a general decline in functioning.
Dr. John McGrath, the study's author and a psychiatrist at the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia, told Fox News Digital: "Based on previous studies, there is evidence linking cat ownership to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia later.” However, McGrath acknowledged limitations in the study, adding, "While observational epidemiology cannot prove this association, this topic requires more detailed research. I was disappointed that there weren’t more high-quality studies."
McGrath further stated, "Schizophrenia is an incredibly complex disorder, and this study identifies one potential risk factor that should be understood in a broader context, surrounded by a range of poorly understood disorders. We need to invest in further research exploring possible risk factors; there is still a lot of work to be done."
