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The role of human-animal bond on pet owner's social stress and psychological distress
Author(s)
Date Issued
2015
Publisher
Hong Kong: Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Description
Hong Kong Shue Yan University. Dept. of Counselling and Psychology.
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.) -- Hong Kong Shue Yan University, 2015.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 58-74).
x, 93 p.
Type
Thesis
Programme
Master of Social Sciences in Counselling Psychology
Abstract
The benefits of human-animal bond on pet owner's psychological well-being have long
interested researchers, though the results have been mixed. Some researchers stated that pet keeping can promote the owner's mental health, while some have found no association between them, and some even claimed that pet keeping threatens one's psychological wellbeing. The reason of mixed findings may be due to the variables that were overlooked in their studies. To improve the holistic understanding of the beneficial effect of human-animal bond, the present study aimed to develop a hypothesized model, adopting the
Krause-Parello's (2012) theoretical model.
This research aims to explore the relationship among Hong Kong pet owners' social stress, human-animal bond and psychological distress. The fitness of Krause-Parello's (2012) model was examined to extend its generalizability, while the fitness of hypothesized model was examined for serving a better comprehension of the psychological benefits of human-animal bond on Hong Kong pet owners.
This cross-sectional study recruited 228 Hong Kong pet owners to complete an online survey, and the structural equation modelling was used to test Krause-Parello's (2012) and the hypothesized model. All indices showed that both models have a good fit with the empirical data in Hong Kong, though the path from human-animal bond to psychological distress is just marginally significant. Hence, the hypothesized model needs to be considered cautiously. Despite the potential limitations of the present study, the results extend our understanding of the potential role of human-animal bond as the pet owners' social support while facing social isolation or rejection. The significant pet-type differences on human-animal bond and psychological distress also suggest that dogs and cats may be mor suitable options as therapy pets to promote Animal Assisted Therapy in Hong Kong.
This research aims to explore the relationship among Hong Kong pet owners' social stress, human-animal bond and psychological distress. The fitness of Krause-Parello's (2012) model was examined to extend its generalizability, while the fitness of hypothesized model was examined for serving a better comprehension of the psychological benefits of human-animal bond on Hong Kong pet owners.
This cross-sectional study recruited 228 Hong Kong pet owners to complete an online survey, and the structural equation modelling was used to test Krause-Parello's (2012) and the hypothesized model. All indices showed that both models have a good fit with the empirical data in Hong Kong, though the path from human-animal bond to psychological distress is just marginally significant. Hence, the hypothesized model needs to be considered cautiously. Despite the potential limitations of the present study, the results extend our understanding of the potential role of human-animal bond as the pet owners' social support while facing social isolation or rejection. The significant pet-type differences on human-animal bond and psychological distress also suggest that dogs and cats may be mor suitable options as therapy pets to promote Animal Assisted Therapy in Hong Kong.
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