Examining the Relationship Between Pet-Ownership & Human Physical and Psychological Wellbeing

• Main Author: Rehnfeldt, Hanna
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Högskolan i Gävle, Avdelningen för socialt arbete och kriminologi 2020
• Subjects: Attachment; Childhood; Human Wellbeing; Pet-Ownership; Social Support; Social Work; Socialt arbete
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-32750

Despite copious research into the association between pet-ownership and human wellbeing in general, empirical data is contradictory and research focusing on the effect of pet-ownership across the lifespan is fundamentally lacking. This study provides analysis and discussion on the relationship between pet-ownership in childhood & human physical and psychological wellbeing in young adulthood. One hundred and ten people extending in age from of 18 to 25 responded to a questionnaire related to their demography, pet-ownership, and physical & psychological health. Finding(s) showed no main effect of pet-ownership on physical or psychological health. Furthermore, no significant relation was found between attachment or social support from a childhood pet and ensuing physical or psychological health. Comprehensively more research is required to veritably establish a link between pet-ownership & human physical and psychological wellbeing.