Sense Of Connection Research Articles

INTERCONNECTIONS AMONG SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLEXIBILITY, AND MEANING IN LIFE AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CANCER PATIENTS

The present study explores the interconnections among social connectedness, psychological inflexibility, and meaning in life among caregivers of cancer patients these psychological variables interact with demographic and caregiving factors, such as gender, age, cancer stage, daily caregiving hours, total caregiving duration, and the caregiver's relationship to the patient. Understanding these interconnections is essential for developing psychological support tailored to caregivers' unique challenges in oncology settings. The sample consisted of 141 caregivers (76 females and 65 males) aged 18 to 45, who provide daily support to cancer patients in varying stages of the disease. Participants were assessed using three validated scales: the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (Lee & Robbins, 2001) to measure their sense of belonging and interpersonal relationships, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (Steger, 2006) to assess their sense of purpose, and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (Bond et al., 2011) to evaluate their level of psychological inflexibility, or rigidity in handling stress. Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among SC, PIF, and MIL, revealing significant positive correlations across all variables, indicating that caregivers who felt a strong sense of social connectedness and purpose in life tended to experience lower psychological inflexibility. Additionally, multiple linear regression analyses highlighted how demographic and caregiving factors influenced these core psychological dimensions, shedding light on complex, multifaceted interactions.The findings underscore the importance of social and psychological support structures for caregivers. Caregiving characteristics, such as the time spent in caregiving per day and total caregiving duration, were found to have significant impacts on the sense of connection, adaptability, and meaning that caregivers derive from their roles, while variables like gender and caregiver-patient relationship did not show significant effects. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions that address these dynamics to bolster caregivers' mental well-being and resilience.

Experiences of connectedness and mental wellbeing in the Scottish islands

Having a sense of connection with people and belonging to place are important for mental wellbeing. These dimensions of connectedness are often studied separately, using different theoretical frameworks, such as social capital and topophilia. Based on a mapping review of the literature, this paper aims to examine the available evidence on how mental health and wellbeing has been influenced by people's experiences of different dimensions of connectedness in the population of the Scottish islands. The findings show the importance of people having a sense of connection not only to communities present and past, but also to the land, and to the natural environment. They also show how experiences of these different facets of connectedness vary between social groups and shift over time, and how they are sustained through social practices in different places and spaces of interaction on the islands. Reflecting on these findings, the paper considers the strengths and limits of existing approaches. It suggests that there may be a value in using more integrated and context-sensitive approaches in future, to better understand the intersections between different dimensions of connectedness and how they contribute to overall mental wellbeing in given populations and places.

SELF-CONCEPT development of school-aged children with congenital upper limb differences: A mixed-methods study

BackgroundSchool-aged children enter an essential phase of psychosocial development in which they begin to form their self-concept. Having a negative self-concept has a direct relationship on the gradual evolution of a child's personality which can influence academic and career success, peer interactions and relationships, generativity and life satisfaction and meaning. There is limited research examining self-concept in children with congenital upper limb differences. ObjectivesDescribe self-concept in school-aged children with congenital upper limb differences (CULD). MethodsIn this convergent mixed methods study, we used the Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) and modified photovoice methodology to explore self-concept in school aged children with CULD. The quantitative results from the PHCSCS were merged with the qualitative findings from the 63 photographs and 63 written descriptions provided by nine children. ResultsMean self-concept was 51.22 (±10.43). Mean domain scores: behavioral adjustment 52 (±8.19), freedom from anxiety 48.56 (±10.42), happiness and satisfaction 49.44 (±10.73), intellectual and school status 54.78 (±10.31), and social acceptance 49.89 (±8.64). Nine participants described five themes of self-concept: emotions, sense of accomplishments, positive view of oneself and one's physical body, hobbies, and a sense of connection. Children defined their self-concept through expressions of self-efficacy, self-image, and social identity. ImplicationsResults created a more comprehensive description of self-concept, and expanded understanding of the social identity of school-aged children with congenital upper limb difference. Future research is needed to examine the relationships between self-efficacy, self-image, and social identity to develop interventions promoting healthy self-concept development.

A sense of connectedness, transcendent experiences, and insights for compassionate action emerge through an international collective labyrinth walk with a shared intention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Labyrinth walking is an integrative contemplative practice that aims to engage the body, heart, mind, and spirit. In this article, qualitative findings from the first year of a mixed methods study on collective labyrinth walking with a shared intention are described. This form of labyrinth walking is distinct in that it is a social contemplative practice. It expands upon most of the labyrinth walking research to date which has been focused upon the individual. More specifically, practitioners walk labyrinths together in solidarity with the same intention in mind during collective labyrinth walking. This practice can be used locally (i.e. practitioners walk the same labyrinth together for the same reason) or non-locally (i.e. practitioners walk different labyrinths for the same reason together in different locations). The study is unique in that it took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic which was a time in recent history that evoked fear, uncertainty, grief, isolation, and disconnectedness for many persons around the world. This sample in this study was comprised of 461 participants from 19 countries who collectively walked labyrinths together with a shared intention on World Labyrinth Day 2021. Most participants were women in middle to later life from the United States. Data was collected through an anonymous online survey and analyzed using the qualitative methodology of interpretive phenomenological analysis. Three predominant themes emerged from practitioners' narrative accounts of their lived experiences: (1) multiple forms of connectedness (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, transpersonal, labyrinth connection) were cultivated through collective labyrinth walking with a shared intention; (2) practitioners reported qualities associated with "transcendent" experiences during this experience (i.e., boundlessness, ultimacy, transcendence, connectedness, positive emotions); and (3) practitioners had insights for compassionate action. Findings suggest that collective labyrinth walking with a shared intention can contribute to individual and group flourishing during times of distress. Quasi-experimental and experimental research designs are needed to build on this exploratory developmental research and are described in this article.

Connectedness, Empathy, Relationships, and Leadership

Physician leadership is a complex set of aptitudes, attributes, knowledge, and experience, and the leadership required to ensure true patient-centered care is complicated. Critical to every situation is the sense of connectedness and the variety of relationships with patients, peers, friends, and family.

Psychometric Properties of the Slovenian Version of the Brief Sense of Community Scale

A sense of community plays an important role in promoting sustainable behaviors and values. Therefore, when measuring sense of community, it is important to ensure that such measurement instruments have excellent psychometric properties. In this study, we start from the model that sense of community is related to a person’s perception of his or her relationship with a community, particularly in terms of need fulfillment, sense of connectedness and emotional connection, and perceived impact on the community. The Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) is an 8-item self-report scale designed specifically for the assessment of individuals’ relation with their neighborhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure and reliability of a new Slovenian version. A sample of 502 adults from Slovenia completed the scale. The data did not support the original hierarchical four-factor model. On the other hand, a one-factor model with autoregressive effects on the unique factors fitted well. The reliability of the sum score was excellent, while only two out of the four subscales had acceptable reliability. The results support the use of the Slovenian version of the BSCS as a unidimensional scale and allow the use of this measure in research on sense of community and possibly as a rigorous measure in further studies of sustainable development in different cultures.

Energizing compassion: using music and community focus to stimulate compassion drive and sense of connectedness.

The last 20 years have seen considerable research on the nature and biopsychosocial impacts of compassion training on self and others. This training is usually focused on calming and slowing the mind and body and on individual imagery practices and mantras. This study explored the effects of three variations: 1. The impact of using energizing music to generate activation and "drive" for compassion; 2. To focus on imagining "breathing in and breathing out a white light or mist of compassion" to bring compassion to the world; and 3. While listening to energizing music, participants were guided to imagining connecting to the compassion (Sangha) community, imagining oneself as linking with others as part of communities seeking to help the world. From approximately 1,600 members of the Compassionate Mind discussion list, participants were invited to take part in a new energizing focused self-practice study. The study involved listening to recorded guidance on the evolutionary model of compassion and the need to address the potentially harmful side of our nature. This was followed by a 4 1/2-min tonglen-informed guided practice of breathing in and breathing out compassion accompanied by energizing music. Forty-three participants completed several self-report scales measuring compassion orientation, wellbeing, social safeness, and positive affect before and following 2 weeks of practice. Participant experiences were recorded from 6 open explorative questions. Self-report measures taken before and following 2 weeks of practice revealed significant increases in self-compassion, compassion to others, openness to compassion from others, activated positive affect, safe positive affect, social safeness, and wellbeing, with the largest effect size relating to compassion for the self (d = -0.76). In addition, qualitative data revealed that the participants had experienced the practice as energizing, inspiring, and felt socially connected and that it had significant impacts on other aspects of their lives. Some participants noted that engaging with suffering also stimulated sadness. This study found that pairing energizing music with breathing practices and specific compassion visualizations, focusing on the desire to bring compassion to the world and be part of a compassionate community, was well-accepted and had a range of significant positive impacts. This study indicates the potential value of exploring energizing in comparison to the more standard soothing and settling practices as ways of stimulating the biopsychosocial processes of compassion.

CHALLENGING CONVENTIONAL HEROISM: REDEFINING HEROISM THROUGH THE REPRESENTATION OF DISABLED SUPERHEROES IN DAREDEVIL AND X-MEN

Disability representation in films is often viewed as a means of inspiring and evoking emotions from able-bodied audiences. Disability activists have long challenged these ableist norms and called for greater recognition of the diversity of human experience. The representation of characters like Matt Murdock and Charles Xavier from the American superhero films Daredevil (2003) directed by Mark Steven Johnson and X-Men (2000) by Bryan Singer has evolved to offer audiences more thought-provoking narratives that transcend simplistic notions of good versus evil. By portraying Matt and Charles Xavier as disabled superheroes, these stories challenge traditional conventions of heroism. This study analyzes how Matt and Charles Xavier disrupt the perception of heroism, particularly in the science fiction genre, thereby examining how their representation emphasises that disability does not hinder heroism or the ability to make a difference. This study combines the fields of disability studies and science fiction to challenge and showcase how the science fiction world is an inviting home for disabled characters and fans. This paper highlights how these characters, despite their physical disabilities, are depicted as powerful, determined, and capable of performing incredible feats and challenge conventional ideas about non-normative bodies in the science fiction genre. This paper concludes that such portrayals can provide disabled audiences with a sense of connection and validation through characters who share similar experiences. Seeing themselves positively reflected in fictional narratives can contribute to a stronger and more positive self-identity. Such characteristics can be included in the world of literature and movies as protagonists with persistence and resilience.

Creating Change for Rural Allied Health via a DHSc Pathway

The recruitment and retention of health professionals in rural and remote locations is a world-wide challenge. Investment to improve the pipeline for medicine and nursing, as well as to attract overseas qualified personnel, has been significant in Aotearoa New Zealand. Those professions, collectively known as Allied Health, Scientific & Technical (AHPs), of which there are over 40 separate professions, have not had the same attention or investment, leaving rural communities without access to many of the assessments, treatments and diagnostics that enable people to grow up well, live well and age well. The objective of this research was to discover what AHPs identify as the attractive aspects of living and working rurally. The purpose of exploring AHP perspectives was so that their insights and experiences could underpin practical advice and guidance for rural and remote health systems to improve their recruitment and retention experiences and support AHPs to flourish in these settings. This research drew on Interpretive Descriptive methodology. Data was collected in semi-structured interviews using an Appreciative Inquiry lens, and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022). Eighteen AHPs from seven professional groups, who lived and/or worked rurally, were interviewed across Aotearoa using video conferencing. Three key themes were constructed including: ‘Sense of Connection & Belonging’, ‘Safe & Supported Practice’ and ‘Creating Roles People Want to Come For’. These were woven with an integrative theme: ‘Fit’. The findings contain rich suggestions of how AHPs can be attracted to and retained in rural and remote communities. The research also highlights several key areas, specific to line managers, recruiters, employing organisations, tertiary providers, professional associations and registering bodies, where action can be taken to improve the experiences of AHPs in rural areas.

DEVELOPING COMPETENCIES FOR EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT [ESD] USING VIDEO CONTENT ANALYSIS AS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PRACTICE IN THE COVID-19 DISTANCE LEARNING

Education for Sustainable development (ESD) is established as single most important method of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the years to come. According to UNESCO, there are five components of ESD competencies: Knowledge, Skills, Perspectives, Behaviour and Values. Experiential learning can be an effective pedagogical technique. This is primarily because of its learner-centric character and scope of closely simulating real life without the risks of actually being involved in it. This research was aimed at exploring the potential of video content analysis as an educational practice for ESD in COVID-19 Distance Learning mode in classrooms of an urban private school of India. It explored ESD themes and the pedagogy that can stimulate students’ active participation. The setting provided a problem-based and incorporated reflection and immediate feedback. This facilitated learners to collaborate and develop unbiased perspectives, learn to critically reflect on social justice issues and appreciate diverse viewpoints. It provides a sense of connectedness and belongingness to community.

Social connectedness and supported self-management of early medication abortion in the UK: experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic and learning for the future

Medication abortion has been established globally as safe and effective. This modality has increased accessibility and the opportunity to centre individual autonomy at the heart of abortion care, by facilitating self-managed abortion. Previous research has shown how self-managed abortion is beneficial in myriad settings ranging from problematic to (relatively) unproblematic contexts of access. In this paper we explore the relationship between self-management and sources of support (including health professionals, family, and friends); as well as considering issues of reproductive control and autonomy. Drawing on qualitative, experience-centred interviews, we utilise the concept of social connectedness to examine how supported self-managed abortion was experienced in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, self-management was welcomed, with participants speaking positively about managing their own abortion at home. However, a sense of connectedness was crucial in helping participants deal with difficult experiences; and functioned to support individual autonomy in self-care. This paper is the first to examine factors of connection, support, and isolation, as experienced by those undergoing self-managed abortion in the UK in detail. Our research suggests a continued need to advocate for high quality support for self-managed abortion, as well as for choice of abortion method, to support patient-centered care.

Piloting the integration of SMART Recovery into outpatient alcohol and other drug treatment programs

BackgroundResearch suggests peer support groups can amplify and extend treatment effects and enhance long-term recovery from Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) problems. However, they are rarely integrated into outpatient treatment programs, resulting in a missed opportunity for peer-to-peer learning, and increased connection to others social networks where people want to reduce or cease substance use.MethodIn this mixed-methods study, we examined the uptake, participant experiences and impacts of Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) when embedded in three public AOD treatment programs in a pilot program in Australia. Groups were delivered initially in-person but transitioned online during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsA total of 75 SMART Recovery groups were run by the pilot sites, with an average attendance of 6.5 people per meeting. Among Participants (N = 31) who completed the survey, 94% reported benefits relating to substance use (i.e., reduction/ successful maintenance of abstinence), 71% reported improvements in their mental health and wellbeing, 74% reported improvements in their physical health, and 81% reported feeling better connected with others. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 participants to explore their experiences. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: motivation to attend, active ingredients, views on the integration of SMART into formal AOD, and the advantages and disadvantages of online groups.ConclusionTaken together, these findings suggest embedding SMART Recovery in AOD treatment is a worthwhile endeavour. This was indicated by a good uptake and evidence of multiple and unique benefits to participants over and above their usual care, notably, better management of their AOD use, health, wellbeing, and sense of connection with others.

Awe fosters global self-continuity: The mediating effect of global processing and narrative.

Awe is a self-relevant emotion, but whether and how awe impacts global self-continuity (GSC), a sense of connectedness among past, present, and future selves, has never been investigated. In six studies (N = 1,384), we examined the relationship between awe and GSC, as well as the mechanisms underlying this relationship, with both correlational and experimental design. We found awe positively associated with (Studies 1 and 3) and predicted (Studies 2 and 4-6) GSC. Moreover, we found that global processing (processing information in a general and big-picture way) and narrative (depicting one's life as a story) serially mediated the relation (Studies 3-6). The effect of awe on GSC and the mediating effect of global processing and narrative could not simply be attributed to awe is predominantly positive (Studies 3, 4, and 6), and the model also holds for awe brought by threatening experience (Study 5). These findings enrich the literature about the way awe affects self-concept. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

EXTRACURRICULAR APPROACHES TO INFLUENCE THE WELL-BEING OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

This article examines the influence of extracurricular activities on the well-being of primary school children, using the Well-Being Index (WBI) to measure levels of well-being before and after participating in these activities. The results suggest that engaging in extracurricular activities can have a significantly positive impact on children's overall well-being, helping to increase their sense of connection, competence and autonomy.

Motivational climate dimensions predict youth soccer players’ psychosocial well-being over time

ObjectivesThis study tested a longitudinal model of relationships, based on self-determination theory, to determine whether motivational climate dimensions predicted young athletes’ psychological need satisfaction and, in turn, personal and social responsibility. DesignWe used a longitudinal design. MethodYouth soccer players (N = 161; M = 10.8 years-old, SD = 1.0 year) completed a survey at two time points, spaced 4 months apart, on average. ResultsSeveral significant direct effects emerged. First, greater perceptions that coaches punished for mistakes predicted decreases in relatedness with coaches and teammates. Second, greater perceptions of relatedness with coaches and teammates predicted increases in personal and social responsibility. Indirect effects also emerged: (a) punishment for mistakes predicted decreases in personal responsibility and social responsibility, and (b) cooperative learning predicted increases in social responsibility, through effects on coach and teammate relatedness. ConclusionsResults suggest that coaches who provide opportunities for collaborative learning and minimize mistake-contingent punishment will foster athletes’ sense of connection and enhance their psychosocial well-being.

A Sense of Connectedness in Reproductive Donation. Contrasting Policy With Donor and Donor Kin Lived Experience

This article asks how well new developments in family life are reflected in law and policy, with a particular focus on donor conception. There has been an unprecedented ‘opening up’ of family life in recent decades; this increased diversity is, at least in part, linked to developments in reproductive technologies, including gamete donation. In family lives touched by donation, genetic relations with ‘donor connections’ take genetic connectedness beyond traditional notions of kinship. There is not yet an established social script for how to understand what constitutes meaningful connectedness in reproductive donation. Focussing on the UK context specifically, where assisted conception is highly regulated, this article examines on the one hand, how UK law and policy portray meaningful connectedness in the context of donation, and, on the other hand, how well this fits with connectedness as experienced within egg and sperm donor communities. Drawing on original data from UK law and policy analysis, and empirical interview data with egg and sperm donors and their kin, our analysis shows important disparities between law and policy, and the empirical evidence, suggesting a need for an overhaul of UK donor conception law and policy.

Patient, Caregiver, and Clinician Perspectives on Core Components of Therapeutic Alliance for Adolescents and Young Adults With Advanced Cancer

The patient-clinician therapeutic alliance is an important aspect of high-quality cancer care. However, components of the therapeutic alliance in adolescents and young adults (AYAs, aged 12-39 years) with cancer have not been defined. To identify components of and barriers to the therapeutic alliance between AYAs, caregivers, and clinicians from the perspective of all key stakeholders. In this qualitative study, semistructured in-depth interviews with patients, caregivers, and clinicians were conducted from 2018 to 2021 with no additional follow-up, with content analysis of resulting transcripts. Participants were recruited from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and an online cancer support community (Cactus Cancer Society). Eligible participants were English- or Spanish-speaking. Eligible patients were aged 12 to 39 years with stage IV or recurrent cancer. Eligible caregivers cared for an AYA living with advanced cancer or one who had died within 5 years. Eligible clinicians routinely provided care for AYAs with cancer. Perspectives on therapeutic alliance. Interviews were conducted with 80 participants: 23 were patients (48% were female; 78% were White), 28 were caregivers (82% were female; 50% were White), and 29 were clinicians (69% were female; 45% were White). The mean (SD) age of patients was 29 (7.3) years. Interviews identified 6 components of therapeutic alliance: (1) compassion; (2) sense of connection; (3) clinician presence; (4) information sharing; (5) shared goals; and (6) individualization of care. While some domains were represented in prior models of therapeutic alliance, a unique domain was identified related to the need for individualization of the approach to care for AYA patients and their caregivers. Interviews also identified potential barriers to building the therapeutic alliance specific to the AYA population, including managing discordant needs between patients and caregivers and communication challenges at the end of life. This study identified core components and barriers to building therapeutic alliance in the AYA advanced cancer population from the perspective of all the key stakeholders in the relationship. A novel component highlighting the need for individualization was identified. This model enables a deeper understanding of how to build therapeutic alliance in the AYA advanced cancer population, which may guide clinician training and facilitate improved care for this vulnerable population.

Mere religiosity is not enough! Spirituality strengthens the relations between religiosity and positive youth development.

Although prior research shows that either religiosity or spirituality facilitates well-being, the interaction of both constructs in predicting positive youth development (PYD) in collectivistic contexts remains unknown. This study examined the moderating role of spirituality on the link between religiosity and PYD, including each of its Cs (i.e., competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring) among 1116 Filipino adolescents. Results demonstrate that both religiosity and spirituality are positively correlated with PYD and its dimensions. Furthermore, there is a significant interaction between religiosity and spirituality for the overall PYD construct and the socio-emotional Cs (i.e., connection, character, and caring). This study highlights the importance of young people's sense of connection with something beyond than themselves (i.e., spirituality) in promoting adolescent thriving.

Finding presence during a pandemic: a qualitative analysis of participation in an Irish University online mindfulness practice during the COVID-19 emergency

Background: In response to the change, and distress, that many faced during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, a twice weekly online practice of mindfulness meditation was delivered to staff, students and the wider community outside of the University of Galway, Ireland. Mindfulness is a contemplative practice which improves coping skills and reduces emotional distress. This practice allows attention to be directed to the present moment, with acceptance and without judgement. Strengthening this practice nurtures skills of dealing with difficult emotions, changing unhelpful habits, behaviours and strengthening resilience during uncertainty. The twice weekly practice of an online mindfulness meditation was delivered in the context of the changes and preventative measures of the first pandemic lockdown in Ireland. The main objective of this practice is to cultivate skills of returning to the present, being grounded and building resilience amidst adversity. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the offered regular online practice of mindfulness meditation for participants during the COVID-19 emergency, exploring through qualitative analysis of their own lived experience with this intervention. Methods: This qualitative study consisted of a short-structured interview process to explore the participants’ experience of the online practice of mindfulness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: From participating in this regular practice at this time, participants reported improved self-awareness, stress management and emotional regulation. Along with this, participants reported the felt sense of empathy and compassion and a sense of connection. Conclusion: This study has shown that during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, an online mindfulness meditation led to better wellbeing.

The ‘pet effect’ and trans people: Associations between living with animal companions and wellbeing, social support, and trans-related marginalization in three international studies

Background: The love, joy and sense of connection between humans and animal companions can bring shared health benefits. Often this is referred to as the ‘pet effect’. Previous research on the ‘pet effect’ suggests that living with an animal companion, and especially one who is considered part of the family, can increase human wellbeing, though to date research has rarely focused on trans people and the ‘pet effect’. Aims: This article explores the ‘pet effect’ in the lives of trans people, given that trans people may uniquely benefit from animal companionship as a counter to the negative effects of living in cisgenderist contexts. Methods: A secondary analysis of three studies was undertaken (N = 857 participants residing in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the UK or the US). Studies included measures of psychological distress, human social support, and trans-related discrimination, with all participants being asked if they lived with animals and if so, if they considered animals to be part of the family. Results: Trans-related marginalization explained the greatest amount of variance in psychological distress (β = .398, p = .001), with social support (β = −0.198, p = .001), living with animals (β = .149, p = .001), and animals being part of the family (β = 0.196, p = .001) explaining additional variance. Age (β = −0.322, p = .001) and employment status (β = .147, p = .001) were the only demographic variables that explained variance in psychological distress among participants who lived with animals considered part of the family. Discussion: The findings suggest that animal companions make a unique contribution to the wellbeing of trans people. The article concludes by exploring implications of these findings for future research and practice with regard to the ‘pet effect’ and trans people.