Quality of life and adolescents' communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend): the mediating effect of attachment to pets

F Marsa-Sambola, J Williams, J Muldoon, AB Lawrence, M Connor, C Currie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)
430 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The relationship between adolescents’ communication with their significant others (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life (KIDSCREEN) was investigated in 2262 Scottish adolescent pet owners. The variable attachment to pets was also tested and assessed as a mediator of this relationship. A positive relationship between adolescents’ communication with their significant other (mother, father, and best friend) and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to dogs. In cat owners, a positive relationship between communication with a best friend and quality of life decreased when controlling for attachment to cats. In cat and dog owners, attachment to these pets predicted higher levels of quality of life. Higher attachment to dogs and cats was explained by good best friend (IV) and attachment to pets (DV) and best friends. Mediation effects of attachment to dogs and cats might be explained in terms of the caring activities associated with these types of pets.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)278 - 297
Number of pages20
JournalAttachment and Human Development
Volume19
Issue number3
Early online date20 Feb 2017
DOIs
Publication statusFirst published - 20 Feb 2017

Bibliographical note

2074130

Keywords

  • Adolescence
  • Attachment to pets
  • Best friend
  • Communication
  • Parents
  • Quality of life

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