PET BONDING AND PET BEREAVEMENT AMONG ADOLESCENTS

The authors studied adolescent-pet bonding and bereavement following p er loss. Three hypotheses were entertained: (a) Adolescents who are hi ghly bonded to a pet experience more intense grief when it dies than d o those less bonded: Ibt degree of bonding. when measured by self-disc losure, is greater for girls than for boys; and (c) intensity of berea vement is greater for girls than for boys. To test the hypotheses and provide descriptive data about bonding to various species. 55 adolesce nts who had recently experienced pet death were administered backgroun d questionnaires Companion Animal Bonding Scales (Poresky, Hendrix, & Mosier 1987). Per Attitude Scales (Poresky, Hendrix, & Mosier 1988), a nd Texas Inventory of Grief Scales (Faschingbauer 1981). Results suppo rted the hypotheses Suggestions for counselors are offered.