Pet Attachment and Dissociation

Brown, Sue-Ellen; Katcher, Aaron Honori

doi:10.1163/156853001300108973

Cited by 38 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 21 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…Also, the White female veterinary technician students scored slightly higher than did White veterinary medical students (17.91 vs. 17.00) on the PAQ (Brown & Katcher, 2001). However, when the White veterinary medical females are compared to the female veterinary technician students, the scores were nearly identical, 17.85, SD 3.39 vs. 17.91, SD 3.35, respectively (Brown & Katcher, 2001). White females seem to have the highest level of pet attachment, which is consistent with previous studies (Herzog, Betchart, & Pittman, 1991).…”

Section: 85mentioning

confidence: 81%

“…A PAQ score of 10 was the average for one study (Stallones et al, 1990), and students in non-animal related elds of study also scored 10.47 (Brown & Katcher, 1997). Also, the White female veterinary technician students scored slightly higher than did White veterinary medical students (17.91 vs. 17.00) on the PAQ (Brown & Katcher, 2001). However, when the White veterinary medical females are compared to the female veterinary technician students, the scores were nearly identical, 17.85, SD 3.39 vs. 17.91, SD 3.35, respectively (Brown & Katcher, 2001).…”

Section: 85mentioning

confidence: 87%

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Ethnic Variations in Pet Attachment among Students at an American School of Veterinary Medicine

Brown¹

2002

Soc Animals

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This study explores ethnic variations in animal companion ("pet") attachment among 133 students enrolled in a school of veterinary medicine. The 57 White and 76 African American participants completed surveys that included background information, several questions about their animal companions, and a pet attachment questionnaire (PAQ).White students had signi cantly higher PAQ scores than did African American students (p<.001). White students also had signi cantly more pets (M=4.05 vs. 2.18, p<.001) and more kinds of pets (M=2.30 vs. 1.57, p<.001) and were more likely to allow pets to sleep on their beds (70% vs. 53%, p<.05). Although keeping pets is a universal cultural phenomenon, how that attachment is expressed may vary from culture-to-culture. This study explores possible explanations and implications for these variations.The United States is a culturally diverse country with correspondingly diverse attitudes toward the treatment of animals other than human (Wolch, Brownlow & Lassiter, 2001). However, very little research has been devoted to understanding the variations in attitudes toward animals within its diverse ethnic and racial groups. This is especially true for attitudes Society & Animals 10:3 (2002) © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2002 toward animal companions ("pets") versus wildlife or food animals. If cultural variations in attitudes do exist, they could have far-reaching implications for animal welfare and human health. The purpose of this preliminary study was to begin to understand such differences without drawing any de nitive conclusions. Many factors, social, cultural, and environmental conditions, affect people's attitudes about animals (Lawrence, 1995). Scientists, philosophers, and religious leaders in uence cultural norms regarding treatment of animals (Lawrence). To de ne and measure all the diverse aspects of attitudes toward animals was beyond the scope of this paper. This research measured pet attachment, which is but one, small aspect of attitudes toward animals.There always is the danger that exploring such racial or ethnic "differences"can be used as a basis for discrimination against minority populations (King, 2000). Often, some can misconstrue research exploring "racial differences" and use it to erroneously prove superiority of one race over another (King).She explains that this type of information often burdens rather than helps African Americans. It is important to remember that no ethnic or racial group is a monolith where all individuals think and feel the same way (Gibbs, 1999).For all ethnic populations, variety and diversity are the rule and not the exception (Gibbs). If, as the ever-increasing body of literature suggests, it is true that relationships with animal companions have health-enhancing effects and if cultures relate differently to companion animals, then it is essential that health-care providers and educators understand the differences among cultures that either enhance or inhibit such effects. Research StudiesDuring the 1970s, Kellert did some of the rs...

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Section: 85mentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: 85mentioning

confidence: 87%

Ethnic Variations in Pet Attachment among Students at an American School of Veterinary Medicine

Brown¹

2002

Soc Animals

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“…Furthermore, 43% of participants with high levels of pet attachment presented with clinical levels of dissociation compared to 0% of the participants who had levels of pet attachment one standard deviation or more below the mean. [27] Because people who hoard animals tend to display high levels of emotional attachment to their animals, [8,24] these findings have potentially important implications for understanding the mechanisms of animal hoarding, and suggest that dissociation may be an important feature in relation to insight and attachment in animal hoarding. Further research is needed to fully understand this relationship.…”

Section: Comorbiditymentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of object and animal hoarding

Frost

Patronek²,

Rosenfield

2011

Depress. Anxiety

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Recent research has highlighted the prevalence and harmful consequences of hoarding,[1] and investigators have proposed inclusion of hoarding disorder in DSM-5.[2] An unanswered question about the proposed disorder is whether people who hoard animals would meet diagnostic criteria for it. This paper discusses the similarities and differences between object and animal hoarding. People who hoard animals appear to meet the basic diagnostic criteria for hoarding disorder. Their homes are cluttered, disorganized, and dysfunctional. They have great difficulty relinquishing animals to people who can more adequately care for them, and they form intense attachments (urges to save) that result in significant impairment. However, they differ from people who hoard objects in several ways. These differences are significant enough to warrant comment in the text description accompanying the diagnostic criteria and consideration as a subtype of hoarding disorder. More research is necessary to determine the exact relationship between object and animal hoarding.

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“…They also suggested that the relationships people have with animals may include dissociative qualities, such as imaginative involvement and fantasy. Moreover, the physiological impacts of interaction with animals may mimic dissociative states (Brown & Katcher, 2001). Unfortunately, this correlational research does not eliminate the possibility of a third variable (e.g., imaginative involvement) that could lead individuals to be more highly attached to companion animals and also to have higher scores on measures of dissociation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Barlow¹,

Cromer²,

Caron³

et al. 2012

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

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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.

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Pet Attachment and Dissociation

Cited by 38 publications

References 21 publications

Ethnic Variations in Pet Attachment among Students at an American School of Veterinary Medicine

Ethnic Variations in Pet Attachment among Students at an American School of Veterinary Medicine

Comparison of object and animal hoarding

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

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