Kerr-Little disputerer for ph.d.-graden i helsevitenskap og vil offentlig forsvare avhandlingen:
"Understanding the impact of dog ownership in the lives of marginalised individuals living with substance use disorder."
Avhandlingen er tilgjengelig her! / The doctoral thesis is available here!
Disputasen strømmes og et opptak vil være tilgjengelig i et døgn.
The defense will be streamed, and a recording of the disputation will be available for 24 hours.
Prøveforelesning over oppgitt emne starter kl. 10.15 / The trial lecture starts at 10.15
Tittel/Title: "How are humans affected psychologically and physiologically by interactions with domesticated animal species, and how are the animals affected? How can this knowledge be used therapeutically for people with substance use disorders?"
Prøveforelesningen strømmes her / The trial lecture will be streamed here.
Disputasen starter kl. 12.15 / The defense starts at 12.15
Disputasen strømmes her / The defense will be streamed here
Populærvitenskapelig sammendrag av avhandlingen/ Summary of the thesis:
People living with substance use disorder often experience unstable living conditions, social isolation, and limited access to support. This thesis explores how owning a dog influences everyday life and substance use.
The study combines interviews with eight dog owners and survey data from 297 people using low-threshold harm-reduction services.
The findings show that having a dog can bring more structure, social connection and responsibility, as well as greater emotional stability and a sense of purpose. For many, their dog provided comfort and motivation. Dog ownership could also create practical challenges, such as difficulties accessing housing or services. Dog owners were less likely to use heroin daily and had fewer overdoses, especially among those in opioid substitution therapy, but were more likely to use prescription opioids.
Overall, the results suggest that dog ownership may support safer and more controlled substance use, while also shaping which substances are used.
Veiledere/ Supervisors:
Hovedveileder/Main supervisor:
Professor Jørgen G. Bramness, Institutt for klinisk medisin, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, UiT Norges arktiske universitet.
Biveileder/supervisor:
Professor Stian Nissen Biong, Lovisenberg diakonale høyskole
Professor Ruth Newberry, NMBU
Bedømmelseskomité/Defensecomitee:
Professor Lena Lidfors, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet – 1. opponent.
Forsker Rune Ellefsen, Faculty of Social Sciences, Center for Research on Extremism, University of Oslo, Norway Unit for Clinical Research on Addictions, Oslo University Hospital, Norway – 2. opponent.
Førsteamanuensis Kjersti Lillevoll, Institutt for psykologi, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, UiT Norges arktiske universitet – leder av komité.
Disputasleder/ Leader of defense:
Professor Sigrid Brækkan, Institutt for klinisk medisin, Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet, UiT Norges arktiske universitet.
When: 13.11.26 at 10.15–16.00
Where:
Auditorium Cortex, plan 7, MH Vest
Location / Campus: Digital, Tromsø
Target group: Employees, Students, Guests, Invited, Unit
Contact: Andrea Jennerwein
E-mail: andrea.jennerwein@uit.no