| Literature DB >> 22341188 |
Abstract
The relationship between loneliness and companion animal bonding was explored among 293 rural adolescents. Participants from two ethnically diverse southwestern high schools completed self-report measures of loneliness, pet ownership, companion animal attachment, and social support. Pet owners reported significantly lower loneliness scores than non-pet owners. Furthermore, companion animal bonding scores were inversely related to loneliness scores. Companion animal attachment was positively related to the number of humans in the social support network. The results of this study indicate that interventions promoting a pet relationship may be valuable in reducing loneliness among adolescents. Copyright ÂEntities:
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Year: 2011 PMID: 22341188 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2010.11.009
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Pediatr Nurs ISSN: 0882-5963 Impact factor: 2.145