Pet attachment and prosocial attitude toward humans: the mediating role of empathy to animals

This study explores the connection between pet attachment, empathy towards animals, and prosocial attitudes toward humans. It builds upon attachment theory, which posits that secure attachments foster empathy and prosocial behavior. The researchers hypothesize that empathy towards animals mediates the relationship between pet attachment and prosocial behavior directed towards humans. This is significant because it expands the understanding of attachment theory beyond human-human interactions and into the realm of human-animal interaction (HAI). Existing research demonstrates a positive correlation between attachment and prosocial tendencies in both human-human and human-animal interactions. However, the mediating role of animal empathy in the relationship between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes towards humans has not been fully explored. Understanding this relationship is crucial for several reasons: it could inform interventions to promote prosocial behavior; it sheds light on the complex interplay between emotional bonds and social behavior; and it contributes to a broader understanding of the multifaceted nature of human-animal relationships. The study aims to determine the association between pet attachment and animal empathy, the association between animal empathy and prosocial attitude, and the mediating role of animal empathy in the relationship between pet attachment and prosocial attitude toward humans. This research addresses a gap in the literature by examining these relationships within the context of HAI, specifically focusing on the role of animal empathy as a potential mediator.

The study extensively reviews existing literature on attachment theory, empathy, and prosocial behavior. It highlights the established link between secure attachment and prosocial tendencies, emphasizing the roles of both the attachment behavioral system (seeking care) and the caregiving behavioral system (providing care). Numerous studies are cited demonstrating the positive correlation between attachment and prosocial behavior across various populations and contexts. The literature also supports the pivotal role of empathy as a mediator in this relationship. Several studies show that stronger attachments correlate with higher levels of empathy, leading to increased prosocial behavior. The review further explores the concept of pets as attachment figures, citing research demonstrating that pets can serve as secure bases and safe havens, fulfilling the proximity-seeking and comfort needs associated with attachment. Studies showing a positive correlation between pet attachment and prosocial behavior, particularly in children, are also reviewed. The authors note that the mechanism underlying this correlation is still unclear, leading to their exploration of animal empathy as a potential mediator. The literature review also discusses the multidimensional nature of empathy, distinguishing between affective and cognitive empathy, and its recognized role as a precursor to prosocial behavior. Studies demonstrating that empathy is not limited to humans and can extend to animals, along with the potential mediating role of empathy in the connection between attachment and prosociality, are cited. The review sets the stage for the researchers' study by highlighting the existing knowledge and identifying a gap regarding the mediating role of animal empathy in the human-animal interaction context.

The study employed a cross-sectional survey design using both paper-and-pencil and online formats administered through Google Forms. The sample consisted of 343 Filipino participants, primarily young, single, female college students. Prior to data collection, the study received ethical review board approval. The survey included an informed consent form and a socio-demographic section gathering information on age, gender, relationship status, pet ownership, and the type of pet(s) owned. Participants were instructed to focus on their closest pet while completing the psychological assessments. The main section included three validated instruments: the Contemporary Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CCABS) to measure pet attachment; the Animal Empathy Scale (AES) to assess empathy toward animals; and the Prosocialness Scale for Adults (PSA) to measure prosocial attitudes. The original English versions of the instruments were used. Following data collection, thorough data cleaning procedures were implemented, with the exclusion of responses based on non-compliance with study criteria and missing data. The study utilized SPSS for data analysis. Before conducting primary analyses, assumptions of normality, linearity, and homoscedasticity were verified. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the linear associations between the study variables. A simple linear regression analysis examined the relationship between pet attachment and prosocial attitude. The mediation analysis was performed using Hayes PROCESS Macro Model 4 to examine the mediating role of animal empathy on the relationship between pet attachment and prosocial attitude. The model tested both the direct and indirect effects of pet attachment on prosocial attitude, with animal empathy acting as a mediator. Hayes bootstrapping was used to determine the significance of the indirect effects.

The study yielded several key findings. First, it confirmed a positive correlation between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), indicating that stronger pet attachment is associated with greater prosocial attitudes. However, the variance explained by pet attachment in prosocial attitude was only 6% (R² = 0.065). Second, a positive correlation was observed between pet attachment and animal empathy (r = 0.22, p < 0.001), suggesting that individuals with stronger pet attachments also exhibit greater empathy towards animals. Third, a positive correlation was found between animal empathy and prosocial attitudes (r = 0.24, p < 0.001), indicating that greater empathy towards animals is related to more prosocial attitudes towards humans. Fourth, and most importantly, the mediation analysis revealed that animal empathy partially mediates the relationship between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes (ab = 0.0058, p < 0.001). This means that part of the positive effect of pet attachment on prosocial attitudes is explained by the increased empathy toward animals it fosters. The total effect of pet attachment on prosocial attitude was positive and significant (β = 0.028, p < 0.001). The direct effect of pet attachment on prosocial attitude remained significant (β = 0.0312, p < 0.001) even when animal empathy was considered as a mediator, indicating a partial mediating role for animal empathy. The indirect effect analysis showed that animal empathy accounts for 20.9% of the variance in prosocial attitude.

The findings support the hypotheses, demonstrating a positive association between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes, mediated by empathy towards animals. The study extends existing research by demonstrating this relationship within the context of HAI. The partial mediation of animal empathy suggests that while fostering empathy towards animals contributes to increased prosocial behavior, other factors might also play a role. The modest effect size of pet attachment on prosocial attitudes (as indicated by the relatively low R²) suggests that while the association is significant, it is not the sole determinant of prosocial behavior. Other individual differences and contextual factors likely contribute to the development of prosocial attitudes. The researchers discuss the implications of their findings for attachment theory, suggesting that the theory can be extended to encompass HAI and the importance of non-human relationships in shaping human social behavior. The findings highlight the interconnectedness of empathy towards animals and humans, implying shared mechanisms underlying prosocial behavior across different relationship contexts. The study's practical implications are considered, suggesting that animal-assisted interventions could be beneficial in fostering prosocial attitudes.

This study confirms the positive relationship between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes towards humans, with animal empathy playing a partial mediating role. The findings extend attachment theory into the realm of human-animal interaction, emphasizing the importance of non-human relationships in shaping prosocial behavior. The relatively modest effect sizes highlight the need for future research exploring additional factors influencing this complex relationship. Future research could focus on developing and validating animal empathy scales tailored to specific cultural contexts and exploring other potential mediators beyond animal empathy. Additionally, research incorporating longitudinal designs and diverse samples is warranted to enhance the generalizability of the findings.

The study acknowledges several limitations. The sample, primarily consisting of young, single, female college students from the Philippines, limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations. The reliance on self-reported data increases the potential for response bias. The study's use of a specific animal empathy scale, which may not be adequately validated for the Southeast Asian context, is also a limitation. The lack of scales measuring cognitive empathetic processes also restricts the scope of the study. The cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences about the relationships between the variables.