LAPS SA: Measuring Attachment to Dogs and Cats Among South American Countries

Area of Science:

• Human-animal interaction studies
• Cross-cultural psychology
• Psychometric instrument development

Background:

• Human evolution and cultural development are intrinsically linked to relationships with animals.
• Attachment, a key mechanism in human-dog/cat relationships, fosters affective bonds and proximity.
• Existing tools like the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) require cultural adaptation for broader application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and validate the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) for South American populations and languages (Brazilian Portuguese and South American Spanish).
• To evaluate the psychometric properties of the adapted instrument using classical test and item response theory methodologies.
• To introduce a unified instrument, LAPS South America (LAPS SA), for measuring human-companion animal attachment.

Main Methods:

• Translation and back-translation of the LAPS instrument.
• Pilot testing and data collection from 2832 respondents (18-85 years old) across Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia.
• Psychometric analyses including classical test theory (coefficient alpha, confirmatory factor analysis) and Rasch analysis.

Main Results:

• The adapted LAPS versions demonstrated comparability across South American populations and languages.
• Psychometric analyses confirmed a primary dimension of general attachment, reflecting the overall human-companion animal relationship.
• Minor differences in dimensionality were observed between the versions, highlighting the need for cultural considerations.

Conclusions:

• The LAPS South America (LAPS SA) is a validated and unified instrument for assessing human-companion animal attachment in South America.
• Adapting research tools for cultural context, including language (e.g., 'companions and guardians'), enhances understanding and applicability.
• LAPS SA provides a valuable tool for future research on human-animal relationships in diverse cultural settings.