Empathy and Perceived Stress among Pet Owners and Non- Pet Owners during Young Adulthood

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between empathy and perceived stress amongst pet ownership and non- pet ownership. Empathy can be explained as ability to sense other people’s emotions and perceived stress can be explained as feelings about the amount of stress that individual is going under that particular time. The aim of the study was to examine empathy and perceived stress among pet owners and non- pet owners in young adulthood. The method used in this study was t-test analysis. The data was collected using two questionnaires i.e., basic empathy scale and perceived stress scale. The online surveys were spread across various states in India- Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Karnataka among young adults (18-24). And 60 responses were collected – 30 pet owners and 30 non-pet owners. The responses were scored according to the manuals of respective questionnaires and later analysed using Microsoft Excel and t-test analysis. The findings of the study showed a positive association between pet ownership and increased levels of empathy and less perceived stress. The adults who owned pets were found to be more empathetic and could deal with stressful situations in a better way.