PET ATTACHMENT, MENTAL HEALTH AND PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT

Abstract

Objectives: Keeping the growing trend of using pets for psychological well-being of humans at front, this study was devised to investigate the association between pet attachment, depression, anxiety and perceived social support.

Design of the study: Correlational study

Duration and Place of study: Bahria University Karachi, Campus

Subjects and Method: A purposive sample of 100 (unmarried, age 18-45 years) participants, men (N=46) and women (N=54) owners of different pets were recruited through snow ball sampling technique. A package of questionnaire was administered, along with the demographic and consent form. These included; Pet Attachment in Life Impact Scale, Center of Epidemiological Studies for Depression, Burns Anxiety Inventory and Multi-Dimensional Perceived Social Support Scale.

Results and Conclusion: Findings revealed the potential contribution of pet attachment with depression, anxiety and social support.  The implications of the finding and avenues for the future research were discussed.