Zachariadou, Sophia and Tragantzopoulou, P. 2025. Does Pet Attachment Affect Men’s Psychological Well-Being, Loneliness, and Perceived Social Support? A Cross-Sectional Analysis During the COVID-19 Crisis. Psychiatry International. 6 (1) 32. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6010032
| Title | Does Pet Attachment Affect Men’s Psychological Well-Being, Loneliness, and Perceived Social Support? A Cross-Sectional Analysis During the COVID-19 Crisis |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Zachariadou, Sophia and Tragantzopoulou, P. |
| Abstract | The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges, including financial strains and mental health issues like depression and loneliness. Human–animal interaction (HAI) offers a potential buffer, as pet ownership has been linked to benefits such as improved psychological well-being, increased perceived social support, and reduced loneliness. Furthermore, attachment to pets appears to moderate these effects, with more attached owners experiencing greater benefits. However, most research has focused on female samples, leaving a gap in understanding HAI among men. This study aimed to examine the relationship between pet attachment and psychological well-being, loneliness, and perceived social support among Greek male pet owners ages 18 to 45. Between January and March 2021, a sample of 87 participants completed a demographics form and four self-reported questionnaires: LAPS for pet attachment, WHO-5 for well-being, a three-item loneliness scale, and MSPSS-Pets for perceived social support. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that pet attachment predicted increased perceived social support but showed no significant association with psychological well-being or loneliness. Age emerged as a predictor of well-being, with older men reporting higher levels, but no significant predictors of loneliness were found. These findings suggest that companion animals may provide emotional support but may not alleviate the broader psychological burdens intensified during crises like the pandemic. |
| Article number | 32 |
| Journal | Psychiatry International |
| Journal citation | 6 (1) |
| ISSN | 2673-5318 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | MDPI AG |
| Publisher's version | License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint6010032 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published online | 12 Mar 2025 |
| License | CC BY 4.0 |