A recent study in the United Kingdom found that people with certain personality traits tend to form stronger bonds with their pets. These traits include neuroticism (emotional instability) and conscientiousness (being responsible and organized). Women, dog owners, older adults, and parents reported stronger attachments to their pets.
Pet ownership is common worldwide, with over 500 million pets living in homes. People keep pets for companionship, emotional support, and joy. Pets can reduce feelings of loneliness, promote physical activity, and foster social connections.
The study’s authors wanted to see if the strength of the bond between a pet and its owner depends on the owner’s personality. They found that people with neuroticism and conscientiousness report stronger bonds, while those with Machiavellian traits (manipulative and deceitful) have a weaker link.
Demographic factors also played a role: women, dog owners, older adults, and parents reported stronger attachments. These findings align with previous research suggesting that women and dog owners tend to form strong bonds with their pets due to higher empathy levels and the social nature of dogs.
The study highlights the connection between emotional bonds with pets and mental health outcomes for both humans and animals. However, it has limitations: online recruitment might attract individuals who are strongly attached to their pets, and self-reported data may introduce bias. Future studies should aim for a more diverse sample and incorporate objective measures of attachment.+
+Source: https://www.psypost.org/more-neurotic-and-conscientious-individuals-tend-to-feel-stronger-attachment-to-pets/