Shelby E. McDonald, PhD | Human-Animal Interaction Research
Recent/Ongoing Research Projects:
The role of human-animal interaction in coping with minority stress: A longitudinal study of sexual and gender minority emerging adults (HABRI grant; Role: PI)
The impact of human-animal interaction on children exposed to adverse family environments (NICHD R21; Role: PI)
Companion animals in the context of LGBTQIA+ youth wellbeing. (VCU PERQ Award; Role: PI)
The role of human-animal interaction in adjustment among sexual and gender minority youth during the transition to adulthood (NIH LRP Renewal Award; Role PI)
Risk and protective effects of human-animal interaction on emotional and behavioral health trajectories of urban youth. (Clark-Hill Institute Faculty Fellow Award; Role: PI)
Advancing measurement in HAI research: A pilot study to develop a new measure of children’s experiences with companion animals. (Faculty Internal Research Grant; Role: PI)
Pets as barriers and facilitators of health and wellbeing among people living with HIV (Southern HIV & Alcohol Research Consortium Pilot Grant; Role: Co-PI)
Relationships with pets during the COVID-19 crisis (unfunded research; role: Co-PI)
Training Latinx residents in Mental Health First Aid (VCU Council for Community Engagement; Co-PI)
Children exposed to intimate partner violence and animal abuse (NICHD R01; Role: Co-I)
Investigating the impact of human-animal interaction on mental health in gender and sexual minority youth (NIH LRP Award; Role: PI)
Development and Validation of the Pet-Related Stress Scale (unfunded; Role: Faculty Sponsor/PI)
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The goal of this study was two-fold: 1) to develop and pilot a new measure of children’s exposure to animal maltreatment and 2) to examine relations between adverse childhood experiences, HAI, and child adjustment.
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This project addresses a significant gap in the sexual and gender minority (SGM) health disparities literature and extends the Minority Stress Model to examine longitudinal relations between HAI (attachment to pets, comfort derived from pets), SGM stressors (discrimination, family rejection, victimization) and emerging adult adjustment (self-esteem, self-efficacy, psychological stress, and substance use) during the transition to adulthood.
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This project had three aims: 1) To establish appropriate assessments of gender minority stressors and HAI that are reliable and valid for use with LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, 2) To determine whether and to what extent the association between sexual and gender minority stressors and adjustment is moderated by HAI, and 3) To identify qualitative themes in LGBTQ+ young people’s perspectives on how pets influence their health and wellbeing.
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The goal of this study was to understand whether and to what extent HAI moderates associations between victimization experiences and mental health in LGBTQQIA+ youth.
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The goal of this pilot study was to develop a new scale to assess children’s exposure to caregivers’ treatment of animals.
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The goal of this project was to empower Latinx community members to reduce stigma and increase knowledge about mental health symptoms and treatment in their community.
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The goal of this project was to examine the impact of intimate partner violence and concomitant animal cruelty on children’s behavioral functioning and treatment of animals.
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The goal of this study is to understand how pets impact health behaviors, healthcare access, and wellbeing among people living with HIV.
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The goal of this project was to obtain pilot data to inform a NICHD R21 proposal focused on relations between HAI and emotional and behavioral health among urban youth.
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The goal of this study was to understand how pets influence coping, health planning, economic security, and family relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This project involves a three-wave panel study of 300 sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging adults. We aim to identify longitudinal relationships between SGM stressors, HAI, and mental health over time, as well as causal and protective mechanisms that explain the impact of pets on human mental health outcomes.
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The goal of this study is to develop and validate a measure of pet-related stressors.
Research Team
Photo caption: Children, Families, and Animals Research (CFAR) Group (with pets) in March 2020: Top row: Laura Booth, a VCU social work alumna, and Sugar; Shelby McDonald, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Social Work, and Kreacher; social work master’s degree student Liz Becker and Sookie; Camie Tomlinson, Ph.D., student in social work, and Prickle. Second row: Jen Murphy, a Ph.D. student in the School of Social Work, and Macy; psychology student Keo Haskins and Saga; social work master’s degree student Charlotte Eure, Lita and Nami; and Caroline Richards an Honors College and sociology and Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies student, with Margot. Third row: Social work master’s degree student Nicole George and Storm; Ryan O’Ryan, an Honors College and psychology and sociology student, with Taf and Blook; doctoral social work student Angela Matijczak and Penny; and social work student Liza Kremer and Mango. Bottom Row: VCU psychology student Shanzeh Saeed and Cali.