Pet Ownership, Attachment, and Well-Being
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The present research examined links between attachment to pets and psychological well-being in different populations. Key factors among pet owners that were expected to moderate the relationship between attachment and well-being, notably social connectedness and genetic polymorphisms relating to oxytocinergic functioning, were also explored. Survey responses and saliva samples were gathered from attendees at a pet exhibition (Study 1), members of the public (pet owners and non-owners) at a mall and museum (Study 2), and low-income, marginally housed pet owners (Study 3). Pet owners reported greater quality of life and were more likely to have a polymorphism of the oxytocin receptor gene (rs225429). However, across all three studies, greater attachment to pets was associated with negative psychological well-being and the presence of physical health conditions. Overall, findings suggest that pet attachment and its relation to human well-being can differ depending on psychosocial characteristics of pet owners.
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Copyright © 2019 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.
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- 2019
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pranschke-petownershipattachmentandwellbeing.pdf | 2023-05-05 | Public | Download |