This study had three aims:
to determine how dimensions of support from household pets reported by
mothers, fathers and young children compare to dimensions of human support, as
reflected in Weiss' theory of social provisions of relationships;
to examine the relation between support from pets and parents' stress as well
as parental perceptions of child adjustment; and
assess individual family characteristics predictive of using pets as social
support.
Measures of stress, support from pet, and family demographics were collected
individually from 56 mothers, 52 fathers and 59 children (59 family units)
during individual home interviews. Resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood
pressure DBP) were assessed from each individual. Perceived parental stress was
measured by the Life Experiences Survey and the Hassles Scale and parental
perception of the child's adjustment was measured by the Preschool
Socioaffective Profile. Dimensions of support from pet was assessed by the Pet
Attitude Inventory (adults) and by two measures adapted from Bryant (1985; 1990)
(child).
Results:
Factor analysis of support measures showed that parents reported seven
dimensions of pet support comparable to human support dimensions. Emotional
support, social integration, and closeness, in that order, were more important
for mothers and fathers. Three factors-emotional support, exclusivity and
mutuality-accounted for children's support from pets.
Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that after accounting for other
variables, pet support predicted lower maternal SBP (b= -.34, p<.05) and DBP
(b= -.25, p<.10), lower paternal DBP (b=-.34, p<.05) more positive life events
for mothers (b= -.33, p<.05), more total life events for fathers (b= -.26,
p<.05) and less anxiety-withdrawal by children according to mothers (b= -.44,
p<.01).
Hierarchical regression analyses showed that starting preschool at a younger
age and spending more hours per week in preschool predicted children's greater
use of pets as supports (F(2.43) = 4.31, p<.02). Family demographic variables
did not predict adults' use of pets as supports. These results confirm that
pets fulfill many of the same support functions as humans for both adults and
children, that pet support, like human support, is associated with less stress
and better adjustment and that this relation holds across varied family
characteristics.
