Comparison of normative and diagnosed dissociation on attachment to companion animals and stuffed animals.

Abstract

Companion animals can serve as sources of love and attachment during times of stress. Stuffed animals, too, can provide comfort and stability. However, little research has examined companion animal attachment in highly dissociative trauma survivors, and no studies have systematically assessed stuffed animal attachment in dissociative adults. College student samples with either high or low dissociation levels and a sample of women with dissociative identity disorder (DID) completed questionnaires about attachment to companion animals and stuffed animals. The DID group was more attached to companion animals than were either of the student groups. High-dissociating students and DID participants were more attached to stuffed animals than were low-dissociating students. Implications for further research and therapeutic interventions are discussed.

Toward a psychology of human–animal relations.

“…Similarly, people with an impaired capacity for intimacy with other human beings are at risk for lack of human social support (Beck & Katcher, 2003). In line with these ideas, high attachment to pets has been associated with high scores on the dissociation index (Barlow, Cromer, Caron, & Freyd, 2012;Brown & Katcher, 2001)-with dissociative disorders often associated with an impaired capacity for intimacy with people.…”

Vom Internetsex zum Robotersex: Forschungsstand und Herausforderungen für die Sexualwissenschaft

“…Dabei können Kuscheltiere auch auf Erwachsene beruhigend wirken, z. B. bei Traumatisierung (Barlow et al 2012). Liebespuppen im Bett würden zwar weniger infantil, dafür befremdlich und pervers anmuten.…”

<p>Spotlight on the psychological basis of childhood pet attachment and its implications</p>

“…Similarly, several studies of adults have evaluated the relationship between companion animal attachment strength and experiences of dissociation, defined as “a separation between processes that are normally integrated, such as events, emotions, and memories,” which may result from severe trauma (especially childhood abuse) 53. For example, a study of college students by Brown and Katcher found that the adult subjects’ levels of dissociation were positively correlated to their attachments to companion animals 54.…”

“…The results of a study by Barlow et al supported that finding, with two groups of college students identified as having low versus high levels of dissociation; they also found that a separate sample of women with clinically diagnosed dissociative identity disorder (DID), a condition where an individual presents with two or more distinct personality states or identities, had significantly stronger attachments to companion animals than both of the groups of college students, as measured by the Pet Attachment and Life Impact Scale (PALS). No men with DID took part in the study 53. Assuming that dissociation and DID may be associated with childhood abuse, the evidence suggests that adults who experienced abuse as children may be more likely to develop stronger attachments to companion animals, possibly as a result of unmet needs they had as children for healthy relationships with humans.…”