Quality of life and adolescents’ communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend) : the mediating effect of attachment to pets
Abstract
The relationship between adolescents? communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life (KIDSCREEN) was investigated in 2262 Scottish adolescent pet owners. The variable attachment to pets was also tested and assessed as a mediator of this relationship. A positive relationship between adolescents? communication with their significant other (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to dogs. In cat owners, a positive relationship between communication with a best friend and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to cats. In cat and dog owners, attachment to these pets predicted higher levels of quality of life. Higher attachment to dogs and cats was explained by good best friend (IV) and attachment to pets (DV) and best friends. Mediation effects of attachment to dogs and cats might be explained in terms of the caring activities associated with these types of pets.
Citation
Marsa-Sambola , F , Williams , J , Muldoon , J , Lawrence , A , Connor , M & Currie , C 2017 , ' Quality of life and adolescents’ communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend) : the mediating effect of attachment to pets ' , Attachment & Human Development , vol. 19 , no. 3 , pp. 278-297 . https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2017.1293702
Publication
Attachment & Human Development
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1461-6734Type
Journal article
Description
The authors would like to thank DEFRA for funding this project (SMDO-ZGLD15).Collections
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