Pets as Transitional Objects: Their Role in Children's Emotional Development

Abstract

Children's use of pets as transitional objects and the contributions of pets to children's emotional well-being were examined. The sample included 94 boys and 80 girls in preschool through Grade 5; 70% were current pet owners, and 30% were not pet owners. Each participant was individually interviewed using a structured interview format of 20 questions for current pet owners and three questions for non-pet owners to assess perceptions about the role of friendships between animals and humans, shared activities between children and pets, ways animals and humans communicate love for one another, types of verbal and nonverbal communication and interactions between animals and humans, and ways animals provide love, security, and emotional support to humans. Analysis indicated that children perceive their pets as special friends, important family members, and providers of social interactions, affection, and emotional support. Results are discussed in terms of the parallels between children's use of inanimate transitional objects and their use of pets as transitional objects.

Interparental Conflict and Youth Maladjustment: The Buffering Effects of Pets

“…This is comparable to a more recent study by Triebenbacher (1998a) which also found that 98% of 4th to 12th graders believed their pets loved them and 99% stated that they loved their pets very much. Rost and Hartman (1994) found that 79% of children in their sample preferred the company of pets when sad, 69% shared secrets with their pets, and 45% preferred the company of pets to other children.…”

“…Children consider their pets to be an important part of the family (Cain, 1983;Triebenbacher, 1998a). Some evidence suggests that increased level of bond with a family pet may also reflect a more cohesive family environment (Bonas, McNichols, & Collis, 2000;Cox, 1993;Triebenbacher, 2000;Vidovic, Bratko, & Stetic, 1999).…”

“…The unconditional love, enduring affection, contact comfort less emotional entanglement, and sense of mastery from caring for a pet are all associated with children's experiences with their pets (Bryant, 1990;Davis, 1987;Davis & Juhasz, 1995;Kidd & Kidd, 1985, 1990Melson, Peet, & Sparks, 1991;Triebenbacher, 1998a;1998b). Children often feel their pets are their best friends with whom they can share secrets and to whom they can turn for emotional comfort (Bryant, 1990;Kidd & Kidd, 1985;Triebenbacher, 1998b).…”

The Human—Animal Bond: Health Implications Across the Lifespan

“…3 The key role that pets play in the socioemotional development of children has been attributed to pets serving as "transitional objects" to human relationships, affording opportunities for socialization, emotional support, and security. 4 Particularly for children with disabilities, who may experience social stigma and isolation, companion animals can serve as catalysts for mainstreamed social interactions. For example, children in wheelchairs received more friendly attention from passersby in school playgrounds and shopping malls when the children were accompanied by service dogs.…”

Transitional object use in adolescence: a developmental phenomenon or a sign of problems?

“…We decided to exclude pets and mobile phones as they do not carry the specific emotional attachment pertaining to a transitional object by definition. There are previous studies on the role of pets, and their findings show that children perceive pets as special friends, important family members, and providers of social interaction, affection, and emotional support (29). Mobile phones are more important for the possibility of communication with parents and keeping contact with friends (30).…”