You get what you give: Pet relationships in a communal orientation framework

• Published in: Personality and individual differences Vol. 192; p. 111590
• Main Authors: Liu-Pham, Ryan, Patterson, Lauren, Keefer, Lucas A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Dating; Human-animal interaction; Interpersonal relations; Pets; Relationship orientation; Well being; Wellbeing; Wellbeing; Pets; Relationship orientation; Human-animal interaction
• ISSN: 0191-8869; 1873-3549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111590

Previous research has demonstrated the association between human communal relationships and well-being. We extend the previous research and view whether relationship orientation to pet relationships affords similar benefits. We examined this with question with two correlational studies. Study 1 viewed the correlations between pet relationship orientation and well-being measures, both before and after controlling for other features of one's relationship with their pet to determine the unique contribution of relationship orientation. In addition, Study 2 demonstrated that communal pet relationships were similar to communal relationships with a participant's romantic partner and platonic friend, although their contributions to well-being were out shadowed by those of interpersonal relationships. The current findings advance relationship orientation by providing evidence that relationship orientation can be applied to non-human relationships. •Relationship orientation•Pet relationships•Loneliness and well-being