Four’s a Crowd? Attachment Styles in Childless Women and First-Time Mothers Toward Their Pet Dog

Abstract

ABSTRACT The transition to parenthood is a time of change and challenge, where new attachments are developed and old ones are re-appraised to fit the needs of the new family. Research on how this transition affects parental attachment to the family pet dog is scarce. This study explored attachment orientation differences among female dog owners without children and female dog owners who had recently become new mothers. Factors that may underpin these differences were also explored. New mothers (n = 98) and childless women (n = 93) completed an online survey that measured the degree to which they were anxiously and avoidantly attached to their pet dog. Significant differences in attachment orientations were found: the parent group had more avoidant, and less anxious, attachment styles toward their pet dogs, compared with the childless group. Qualitative insights revealed new mothers suffer from a lack of time, energy, and attention to afford their dog and that the role of the dog in the family may be re-appraised to accommodate the new family member. These outcomes provide insight into how Australian women experience their attachment relationships to their pet dogs. This study has implications for both pet and maternal welfare.