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Pets as transitional objects: their role in children's emotional development
1Department of Child Development and Family Relations, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA.
Psychological Reports
|April 1, 1998
Summary
Children view pets as special friends and family members, providing crucial emotional support and companionship. This study explores how pets function as transitional objects, similar to inanimate ones, in children's lives.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
Background:
- Pets play a significant role in many children's lives.
- Understanding the psychological impact of pet ownership on children is essential for developmental studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine children's use of pets as transitional objects.
- To investigate the contributions of pets to children's emotional well-being.
Main Methods:
- A structured interview format was used with 94 boys and 80 girls (preschool to Grade 5).
- Participants' perceptions of human-animal friendships, shared activities, and emotional support from pets were assessed.
Main Results:
- Children perceive pets as special friends and important family members.
- Pets provide social interactions, affection, and emotional support to children.
- Children utilize pets similarly to inanimate transitional objects.
Conclusions:
- Pets serve as significant emotional support figures for children.
- The human-animal bond offers unique benefits for child development.
- Further research can explore the therapeutic applications of pets in child psychology.