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Better adjusted
PETS can serve as important sources of social and emotional support for “everyday people,” according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
“We observed evidence that pet owners fared better, both in terms of wellbeing outcomes and individual differences than nonowners on several dimensions,” said lead researcher Allen R McConnell, PhD, of Miami University in Ohio.
“Specifically, pet owners had greater self esteem, were more physically fit, tended to be less lonely, were more conscientious, were more extroverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than nonowners.”
A study involving 217 people (79 per cent women, with a median age of 34) answered surveys aimed at determining whether pet owners differed from people who didn’t have pets in the areas of well being, personality type and attachment style. Several differences between the groups emerged, and in all cases, pet owners were happier, healthier and better adjusted than nonowners.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide created an online survey in consultation with veterinarians, animal behaviourists, and cat guardians, to investigate playrelated factors associated with the welfare of cats.
“Our survey results, based on responses from 591 cat guardians from 55 countries, indicated greater cat playfulness and more types of games played were significantly associated with better cat quality of life,” said the University of Adelaide’s Julia Henning, a PhD Candidate, who led the study.
“Also, longer amounts of daily play, greater number of games, both cat and guardian initiating play, and heightened guardian playfulness were also associated with better quality catguardian relationships.”
