Posttraumatic Growth Following the Loss of a Pet

Abstract

The current study examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) experienced by bereaved pet owners following the death of their pet. Using qualitative methodology, we analyzed responses of 308 participants who answered yes to a question about experiencing PTG. Within the five factors model of PTG, the most endorsed included the following: Relating to Others ( n = 76), Appreciation of Life ( n = 52), Personal Strength ( n = 51), Spiritual Change ( n = 32), and New Possibilities ( n = 29). Other themes not captured by the PTG included as follows: relating to animals ( n = 70), continuing bonds ( n = 53), attachment relationship ( n = 44), and unconditional love ( n = 13). Our findings support the notion that PTG occurs for people who have experienced pet loss, with new emergent themes.

A National Survey of Companion Animal Owners’ Self-Reported Methods of Coping Following Euthanasia

“…Within the nuclear family, relationships may strengthen from enduring the experience together. Family members report feeling a sense of unity and appreciation for one another following the loss of a companion animal [42]. To summarize, a large proportion of respondents utilized social support from family and friends following their companion animal loss and this may be considered a healthy coping mechanism.…”

Posttraumatic Growth Following the Loss of a Pet: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

“…We investigated aspects of PTG that are consistent across cultures, as well as aspects of PTG those that are unique. In an earlier manuscript (Packman et al., 2016), we noted how well the PTGI captured the responses of the U.S. bereaved pet owners; 58% of responses mapped onto the PTGI. Subsequently, we were interested to see how this compared with samples from French-Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong.…”

“…Next, operational definitions for each coding category are determined based on theory. In the current investigation, PTG, bereavement, and CB theories (Field, 2008; Doka, 2008), as well as prior research on pet loss (Carmack, 2003; Orsini, 2005; Packman et al., 2011) and PTG (Packman et al, 2016) guided the development of initial coding categories.…”

“…The PTGI (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) was created to provide a measure of PTG using the five factors that the researchers proposed were central to this construct: (a) Relating to Others, (b) New Possibilities, (c) Personal Strength, (d) Spiritual Change, and (e) Appreciation of Life. The authors also used findings from a previous study (Packman et al, 2016) to see how well the cross-cultural samples mapped onto the U.S. data. Data that did not map onto the PTGI were identified and analyzed to determine if they represented a new theme or a subcategory of an existing category.…”

“…There are only a handful of studies examining PTG following the death of a beloved companion animal (Packman et al., 2011; Packman et al, 2016; Wong, Lau, Liu, Yuen, & Wing-Lok, 2017). Packman et al.…”