Original scientific paper
THE ROLE O F PETS IN CHILDREN`S SOCIO - EMOTIO - NAL D EVELOPMENT
Sanja Smojver-Ažić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4389-6463
; Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Rijeci
Zorica Topalović
; Osnovna škola Rivarela i Talijanska osnovna škola, Novigrad
Abstract
Growing up with pets and building a positive relationship with them can be beneficial for a child’s socio-emotional development. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between child attachment to the mother, attachment to a pet, empathy, social competence and loneliness. The sample consisted of 480 students (fourth, six and eighth graders). The children ranged in age from 10 to 15 years. Sixty-three percent of the children in the sample
were pet owners.
A significant difference in attachment to the mother was obtained between pet owners and non owners when attachment level was examined. The findings suggest that children with higher levels of attachment to their pets had a significantly higher level of trust in their mothers. Children with low attachment to pets reported a higher level of alienation from their mothers.
Results revealed significant main effects of pet attachment for empathy and loneliness. Children with higher attachment to pets have significantly higher empathy than non owners and children with low levels of pet attachment. It was also found that eight grade girls with higher levels of pet attachment show greater loneliness than all other girls, regardless of the age or level of pet attachment.
The results of the hierarchical regression analysis for pet owners indicate that (when age, gender and attachment to mother effects are controlled) pet attachment contributes significantly to explaining the variance of children’s empathy.
Keywords
attachment; pets; social competence; loneliness and emotional empathy
Hrčak ID:
82846
URI
Publication date:
15.4.2010.
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