anthrozoology.org

Zilcha-Mano, Sigal.  Mikulincer, Mario.  Shaver, Phillip R.

Kaminski, J.; Neumann, M.; Brauer, J.; Call, J.; Tomasello, M.;

McConnell, A. R., Brown, C. M., Shoda, T. M., Stayton, L. E., & Martin, C. E. .

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2011, July 4)

Social support is critical for psychological and physical well-being, reflecting the centrality of belongingness
in our lives. Human interactions often provide people with considerable social support, but can
pets also fulfill one’s social needs? Although there is correlational evidence that pets may help
individuals facing significant life stressors, little is known about the well-being benefits of pets for
everyday people. Study 1 found in a community sample that pet owners fared better on several well-being
(e.g., greater self-esteem, more exercise) and individual-difference (e.g., greater conscientiousness, less
fearful attachment) measures. Study 2 assessed a different community sample and found that owners
enjoyed better well-being when their pets fulfilled social needs better, and the support that pets provided
complemented rather than competed with human sources. Finally, Study 3 brought pet owners into the
laboratory and experimentally demonstrated the ability of pets to stave off negativity caused by social
rejection. In summary, pets can serve as important sources of social support, providing many positive
psychological and physical benefits for their owners.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science