An Examination of the Relations between Social Support, Anthropomorphism and Stress Among Dog Owners

Antonacopoulos, Nikolina M. Duvall; Pychyl, Timothy A.

doi:10.2752/175303708x305783

Cited by 47 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Serpell 2003;Ikeda et al 2004). Anthropomorphisms can also take the form of animals taking on human cultural characteristics, such as animals wearing clothes or engaging in a tea party (e.g., Allen et al 1994;Antonacopoulos and Pychyl 2008).…”

Section: Defining Anthropomorphismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropomorphized species as tools for conservation: utility beyond prosocial, intelligent and suffering species

et al. 2013

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Anthropomorphism has recently emerged in the literature as a useful tool for conservation. Within the current conservation literature, description of the development of anthropomorphisms and the range of species that can be anthropomorphized overlooks established and emerging evidence from anthropological and other social science studies of human-animal relationships. This research shows that people anthropomorphize a very broad range of species, including plants. We discuss how people construct anthropomorphic meanings around species, through a diversity of mechanisms and with both positive and negative effects. We then review the many gradations and forms of anthropomorphism, and some related conceptions in non-Western cultures, which have different types of utility for conservation. Finally we discuss cases where animals are anthropomorphized but with negative outcomes for human-animal interactions and conservation. Limiting the use of anthropomorphism in conservation to prosocial, intelligent, suffering animals risks suggesting that other species are not worthy of conservation because they are not like humans in the ''right'' ways. It would also mean overlooking the application of a powerful tool to the promotion of low-profile species with high biological conservation value. We emphasize that negative outcomes and conflicts with ecosystem-level conservation actions are also possible and need to be carefully managed. Use of anthropomorphism in 123Biodivers Conserv (2013( ) 22:1577( -1589( DOI 10.1007 conservation must take into account how people engage with species and attribute value to their characteristics.

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Section: Defining Anthropomorphismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropomorphized species as tools for conservation: utility beyond prosocial, intelligent and suffering species

et al. 2013

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“…Available data suggests irresponsible status dog ownership has a considerable impact on community and society (see the setting the scene section below). The Government are increasingly using suppressive measures to control the status dog problem [15]. The evidence underlying this response requires much closer scrutiny to determine validity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Friends, status symbols and weapons: the use of dogs by youth groups and youth gangs

Maher

Pierpoint

2011

Crime Law Soc Change

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Recent UK media reports and government responses evidence a rising concern over irresponsible dog ownership, particularly the use of so-called status or weapon dogs. Youth criminal and antisocial behaviour using these dogs has been widely reported in urban areas and associated with street-based youth groups, in particular, the growing phenomenon of UK youth gangs. This article reports on the findings and implications of a small-scale study, comprising interviews with 25 youths and seven animal welfare and youth practitioners, which aimed to identify the nature of animal use and abuse in youth groups and gangs. It found that over half of the youths belonged to a youth gang and the remainder a youth group, with the majority owning an animal which was most often a "status" dog (e.g., bull breed). Analysis revealed that dogs were used mainly for socialising and companionship, protection and enhancing status. More than 20 types of animal abuse were described by youths and practitioners.

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“…The possible explanation was that with stronger pet attachment, pet owners were more likely to ascribe humanlike emotions to their pets and obtain additional social support from their pets in additions from their family and friends. Social support may serve as a buffer against stressful situations.Antonacopoulos&Pychyl [30] also found that lower stress levels in pet owners were due to higher amounts of social support when a high level of anthropomorphism was attributed to pets.…”

Section: Relation Between Pet Attachment Level and Perceived Mental Hmentioning

confidence: 95%

Health and Nutritional Status among Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners in Kuala Lumpur

Li¹,

Yusof²,

Zakaria³

et al. 2017

IOSR JHSS

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:The study investigated the effect of pet ownership on the nutritional status and perceived health status among adults. This study involved 160 adult respondents (80 pet owners, 80 non-pet owners) recruited in Kuala Lumpur. Respondents completed Lexington-Pet Attachment to Pet Scale (only for pet owners), ShortForm Health Survey-12 (SF-12) and Perceived Stress Scale. The results indicate that body mass index, perceived physical health, perceived mental health, and perceived stress among pet owners were not significantly different than non-pet owners. However, when pet attachment level was considered, it was found that pet owners who were highly bonded to their pets reported better mental health and perceived stress than non-pet owners, but not better perceived physical health (p < 0.05). A correlation test showed no association between pet attachment level and perceived physical health of pet owners (ρ = 0.194, p > 0.05). Nevertheless, greater attachment to a pet was associated with better perceived mental health (r = 0.336, p < 0.05) and lower perceived stress (ρ = -0.412, p < 0.05). This study revealed that pets positively impact their owners' overall perceived mental health and perceived stress level, but this appears to differ based on the pet attachment level.

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An Examination of the Relations between Social Support, Anthropomorphism and Stress Among Dog Owners

Cited by 47 publications

References 36 publications

Anthropomorphized species as tools for conservation: utility beyond prosocial, intelligent and suffering species

Anthropomorphized species as tools for conservation: utility beyond prosocial, intelligent and suffering species

Friends, status symbols and weapons: the use of dogs by youth groups and youth gangs

Health and Nutritional Status among Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners in Kuala Lumpur

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