Psychological Wellbeing, Quality of Life and Companionship of Life of Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners

Abstract

The impact of owning a pet on emotional health, social assistance, and general quality of life has been vastly studied through numerous investigations examining these relationships. Pets play an integral role in the home, offering steadfast companionship, emotional stability, and a feeling of belonging. They grant unconditional fondness, comfort during challenging eras, and a wellspring of delight, strengthening the emotional bonds within the family unit. This research aims to explore the contrast in companionship, life quality, and psychological well-being between individuals who have pets compared to those without. Snowball sampling was employed to recruit a group of 281 participants aged 18 or older who filled out an extensive questionnaire comprising various assessments such as the Psychological Well-being Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment—Brief Version. Independent sample t-tests were run for all participants. The results suggest households with pets generally experience enhanced psychological health, social support, and improved quality of life (Bao & Schreer, 2016). Pets enhance companionship by providing continuous backing that improves human social interactions (Antonacopoulos & Pychyl, 2010). Additionally, households with pets frequently report better overall well-being, benefiting from improved physical health, stronger social bonds, and increased quality of life (Allen et al., 2002).