Using Attachment Theory and Social Support Theory to Examine and Measure Pets as Sources of Social Support and Attachment Figures
Using Attachment Theory and Social Support Theory to Examine and Measure Pets as Sources of Social Support and Attachment Figures
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DOI：
10.1080/08927936.2017.1311050
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发表时间：
2017-01-01
期刊：
影响因子：
1.6
通讯作者：
Pachana, Nancy
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Meehan, Michael;Massavelli, Bronwyn;Pachana, Nancy
伴侣动物越来越多地被社会认可为有益于我们的健康，并被许多主人视为真实和情感的家庭成员。人类关系理论帮助我们理解人类与伴侣动物之间的情感和支持方面的关系。本研究运用依恋理论、社会支持理论和依恋关系的等级性概念来进一步理解和测量人-动物依恋。在研究1中，161名大学生宠物主人完成了一个修改后的多维度感知社会支持量表（MSPSS），其中包括宠物作为支持来源，我们预先测试了60项宠物依恋测量。结果表明，学生认为他们的宠物作为社会支持的独特来源，在类似的水平，他们的重要他人，家人和朋友。主成分分析的60项措施减少到31项，并揭示了四个宠物依恋成分：（a）接近维护和互动，（B）情感依恋行为，（c）情感支持给予和接受，（d）情感和金钱价值。该量表被命名为伴侣动物情感和支持性依恋量表（ESACA）（克朗巴赫α = 0.96）。在研究2中，83名大学生完成了依恋层次量表和ESACA。伴侣动物被包括在宠物主人的依恋层次中，排名高于兄弟姐妹，但低于浪漫的伴侣，父母和亲密的朋友。那些对伴侣动物表示更高依恋的人在依恋等级中的排名高于那些依恋较少的人。本研究支持并扩展了先前的研究，即在探索人与动物的关系时使用了依恋理论和社会支持理论。许多伴侣动物的主人认为他们的宠物是情感支持的额外来源，满足了依恋关系的四个特征，并将它们纳入重要依恋关系的层次结构中。
Companion animals are increasingly being recognized by society as beneficial to our health and considered by many owners as authentic and affectional family members. Human relationship theories help us to understand the emotional and supportive aspect of the human- companion animal bond. This study uses attachment theory, social support theory, and the concept of the hierarchical nature of attachment relationships to further understand and measure human-animal attachment. In study 1,161 university-student pet owners completed a modified multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) that included pets as a source of support, and we pre-tested a 60-item pet attachment measure. Results showed that students perceived their pets as distinctive sources of social support, at similar levels to their significant others, family, and friends. Principal components analysis of the 60-item measure reduced it to 31 items, and revealed four pet attachment components: (a) Proximity maintenance and interaction, (b) Emotional attachment behaviors, (c) Emotional support given and received, and (d) Emotional and monetary value. The scale was named the Emotional and Supportive Attachment to Companion Animals Scale (ESACA) (Cronbach's alpha= 0.96). In study 2, 83 university students completed an attachment hierarchy scale and the ESACA. Companion animals were included in pet owners' attachment hierarchies and ranked higher than siblings but lower than romantic partners, parents, and close friends. Those who indicated higher attachment to their companion animals ranked them higher in their attachment hierarchy than those less attached. This study supports and extends previous research that has used aspects of attachment theory and social support theory when exploring the human-animal bond. Many companion animal owners perceive their pets as additional sources of emotional support, fulfilling the four features of an attachment relationship and including them in their hierarchy of important attachment relationships.