Relational Experiences between Children and Pets during Parental Divorce
Relational Experiences between Children and Pets during Parental Divorce
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Issue Date
2000
Authors
Bennett, Jennifer R. Block
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Abstract
The child's experience of parental divorce has been researched and discussed a great deal in psychological literature. A growing body of literature exists on the effects of companion animals (pets) on humans. This dissertation seeks to combine the two fields of study to clarify the components of the person / pet relationship that exist between the child of divorce and his or her companion animal. A 64-question survey with closed and open responses was conducted via the internet (World Wide Web). Links to the survey's website were placed on online forums and bulletin boards. Respondents submitted consent and all survey answers electronically. Seventy (full and viable) responses were received and analyzed quantitatively. Direct quotes from the participants were utilized to illustrate the data findings. Participants were adults (21 years or older) who had been children (between the ages of 6 and 12) during their arents' separation or divorce, and had a companion animal (pet) at the time of the "divorcing period." [The term divorcing period is introduced to indicate the subjective period of time in which the person felt personally and directly affected by their parents' divorce. Four hypotheses were tested regarding the quality and experience of the relationship between person and pet. The research resulted in statistically significant data findings regarding the experience of a deep relational connection between child and pet, which helped the person to cope with the emotional difficulty of the divorcing period.