THE ROLE OF PETS IN PREADOLESCENT PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of pets in preadoles cent psychosocial development. A sample of 130 third through sixth gra ders from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds were selected based on whether they were pet owners and nonpet owners. Preadolescents in the two groups were then matched on parental marital status, socioeconomic status (SES), and number of siblings. Data was collected in an interv iew and questionnaire format. Questionnaires measuring autonomy, self- concept, self-esteem, and attachment to animals were completed. Suppor t for the hypothesis that pet owners would report higher autonomy, sel f-concept, and self-esteem was found. Higher autonomy was reported in pet owners across all grades on the perceives parents as people subsca le of the autonomy measure. Sixth-grade pet owners reported higher sel f-concept and pet-owning fifth and sixth graders reported higher self- esteem. Attachment to animals was not found to be higher in the pet-ow ning group and greater attachment to animals was not found to be relat ed to higher scores on the dependent measures. The significant differe nces between the groups for both fifth and sixth graders suggest that pets may have their greatest impact on children's lives as they enter into adolescence. The significant influence of pets on autonomy indica tes that pet ownership could be used to foster the development of auto nomous characteristics in preadolescents. The positive influence of pe ts on self-concept and self-esteem suggests that pets may be used as a source of support as well as an intervention strategy for persons suf fering from low self-concept and self-esteem.