ABSTRACT

Pet attachment refers to the emotional bonds individuals form with animals such as dogs, cats, birds, and fish, providing companionship, emotional support, and even health benefits. Such bonds are particularly important for stress management, a common challenge among college students. This study examined the relationship between pet attachment and stress levels, focusing on whether pets serve as a meaningful means of stress alleviation. Two standardized instruments were employed: the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS) to assess the degree of attachment and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure stress levels among students from the School of Arts, Sciences and Teacher Education (SASTE) and the School of Information Technology and Engineering (SITE) who own pets. Results supported the hypothesis that higher levels of pet attachment correspond to lower perceived stress. No significant differences in attachment were observed regarding gender or length of pet ownership. However, perceived stress differed significantly by gender and years of pet ownership, with female students and long-term pet owners reporting higher stress levels. The study underscores the positive role of pets in promoting emotional well-being and stress management while acknowledging challenges faced by some owners, particularly when caring for aging pets. Overall, it highlights the important contribution of pet companionship to stress reduction and improved emotional health.

Keywords: Attachment, emotional support, pet ownership, stress, stress reduction
https://doi.org/10.57180/esuq7571