Brief Report: Presence Of A Dog, Pet Attachment, And Loneliness Among Elders

Authors

Elaine M. Eshbaugh, University of Northern IowaFollow
John W. Somervill, University of Northern IowaFollow
Justina H. Kotek, University of Northern Iowa
Elizabeth Perez, University of Northern Iowa
Kayla R. Nalan, University of Northern Iowa
Claire E. Wilson, University of Northern Iowa
Quinn T. Bullis, University of Northern IowaFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

North American Journal of Psychology

Volume

13

Issue

1

First Page

1

Last Page

4

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between preference to have a dog present during a testing situation, pet attachment, previous and current pet ownership, and loneliness among older adults. Sixty-eight individuals living in two retirement communities were given a choice of having a small dog present or absent while completing measures of pet attachment and loneliness. Sixty-seven of 68 participants chose to have the dog present. Therefore, it was not possible to compare participants by preference of having a dog present or absent. Pet owners and non-pet owners did not significantly differ on pet attachment. Furthermore, pet owners and non-pet owners did not show statistically significant differences on loneliness. ©NAJP.

Department

School of Applied Human Sciences

Department

Department of Psychology

Original Publication Date

3-1-2011

Recommended Citation

Eshbaugh, Elaine M.; Somervill, John W.; Kotek, Justina H.; Perez, Elizabeth; Nalan, Kayla R.; Wilson, Claire E.; and Bullis, Quinn T., "Brief Report: Presence Of A Dog, Pet Attachment, And Loneliness Among Elders" (2011). Faculty Publications. 1960.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/1960