People with secure attachment to their pets are less depressed, researchers find
Briefly

Research has shown that the bond between pets and their owners can take on various forms, much like human relationships. Through a survey of over 1,000 pet owners, researchers found that while pets can provide companionship, the nature of the attachment can heavily influence mental health. Specifically, those exhibiting attachment anxiety towards their pets were found to experience higher levels of depression. The findings highlight that simply owning a pet is not enough for emotional well-being; instead, secure attachments are crucial.
For many people, pets provide unconditional love, but some human-pet relationships can contribute to stress, with attachment styles impacting mental well-being.
Our recent research shows that attachment anxiety with pets can predict depression symptoms, emphasizing the quality of the bond over mere pet ownership.
Higher pet attachment anxiety is linked to depression symptoms, indicating that those overly dependent on their pets are more susceptible to depression.
Our study surveyed over 1,000 pet owners and revealed that secure bonds with pets promote emotional well-being, while anxious attachments can have adverse effects.
Read at Fast Company
[
|
]