What is Beneficial in Our Relationships with Pets? Exploring the Psychological Factors Involved in Human–Pet Relations and Their Associations with Human Wellbeing

Abstract

ABSTRACT Whether pet owners experience higher psychological wellbeing compared with non-pet owners remains contested. Going beyond a comparison of pet vs. non-pet owners, the current study investigated the nature of the psychological link that operates between humans and pets and tested which specific psychological factors, experienced specifically in the human–pet relationship, predict pet owners’ psychological wellbeing. The following factors were put to the test: Unconditional support and acceptance, mindfulness, and social connections with fellow humans. Data from a diverse sample of Canadian pet owners (n = 1,220) were analyzed. Mindfulness felt in the presence of one’s pet predicted more positive wellbeing on each wellbeing outcome. Perceiving that one’s pet encourages social connections with fellow humans and accepts us unconditionally also predicted more positive wellbeing on some of the wellbeing outcomes. In contrast, feeling authentic in one’s relationship with a pet predicted lower wellbeing, while perceiving that pets are less accepting of one’s negative emotions predicted higher wellbeing. Most of these associations held when accounting for the impact of these psychological factors when they are experienced in the context of human–human relations. These findings confirm the importance of investigating the nature of our psychological links to other animals, namely pets; they also provide nuances regarding the specific benefits associated with pet ownership and how the presence of pets can be beneficial to human wellness.