The Pet Factor - Companion Animals as a Conduit for Getting to Know People, Friendship Formation and Social Support

Abstract

BackgroundWhile companion animals have been previously identified as a direct source of companionship and support to their owners, their role as a catalyst for friendship formation or social support networks among humans has received little attention. This study investigated the indirect role of pets as facilitators for three dimensions of social relatedness; getting to know people, friendship formation and social support networks.MethodsA telephone survey of randomly selected residents in four cities, one in Australia (Perth; n = 704) and three in the U.S. (San Diego, n = 690; Portland, n = 634; Nashville, n = 664) was conducted. All participants were asked about getting to know people within their neighborhood. Pet owners were asked additional questions about the type/s of pet/s they owned, whether they had formed friendships as a result of their pet, and if they had received any of four different types of social support from the people they met through their pet.ResultsPet owners were significantly more likely to get to know people in their neighborhood than non-pet owners (OR 1.61; 95%CI: 1.30, 1.99). When analyzed by site, this relationship was significant for Perth, San Diego and Nashville. Among pet owners, dog owners in the three U.S. cities (but not Perth) were significantly more likely than owners of other types of pets to regard people whom they met through their pet as a friend (OR 2.59; 95%CI: 1.94, 3.46). Around 40% of pet owners reported receiving one or more types of social support (i.e. emotional, informational, appraisal, instrumental) via people they met through their pet.ConclusionThis research suggests companion animals can be a catalyst for several dimensions of human social relationships in neighborhood settings, ranging from incidental social interaction and getting to know people, through to formation of new friendships. For many pet owners, their pets also facilitated relationships from which they derived tangible forms of social support, both of a practical and emotionally supportive nature. Given growing evidence for social isolation as a risk factor for mental health, and, conversely, friendships and social support as protective factors for individual and community well-being, pets may be an important factor in developing healthy neighborhoods.

‘More people talk to you when you have a dog’ – dogs as catalysts for social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities

“…These findings support research with non-disabled individuals (see for example McNicholas and Collis 2000;Wood et al 2015) and individuals with physical disabilities (see for example Fairman and Huebner 2000;Shyne et al 2012), which found the dog acted as a social stimulant, with members of the community often initiating contact to ask questions about the dog. Furthermore, there was some evidence to support previous research that a dog helped to reduce the negative effects of social ostracism (see for example Shyne et al 2012) and increased individual's confidence (Hart et al 1987).…”

“…; Wood et al . ). For example, in an Australian survey, 58% of pet owners indicated they had got to know people and made friends through having pets (McHarg et al .…”

“…Research among non-disabled people has shown companion animals can act as catalysts for encounters (McNicholas and Collis 2000;Wood et al 2005;Wood et al 2015). For example, in an Australian survey, 58% of pet owners indicated they had got to know people and made friends through having pets (McHarg et al 1995).…”

Ontological security and connectivity provided by pets: a study in the self-management of the everyday lives of people diagnosed with a long-term mental health condition

“…In this respect, emphasis is often placed on family, friends, and social interaction with other people [8–10]. However, the role of pets is likely to have been under-acknowledged, with indications in research that some people consider their pets as being as important as family members, and their value in terms of companionship, love and support is widely acknowledged [11]. Analysis of an individual’s support network suggests a unique contribution from pets that extends beyond the support and connections provided by familial, friendship and weak tie connections.…”

Pet Ownership and Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population: Rewards and Challenges

“…Thus, they act as social catalysts and help build and maintain social networks. Individuals with pets are more likely to know their neighbors, and about 40% of owners reported receiving social support from people they met through their companion animals (Wood et al, 2015). Among communitydwelling older adults, pets stimulate communication (Rogers, Hart, & Boltz, 1993) and often serve as a conversation topic (Rosenkoetter, 1991).…”