The inventory of pet attachment : development and validation /
| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1992.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | This study was an attempt to develop and validate a scale designed to measure nonconventional attachment to pets. The Inventory of Pet Attachment (IPA) was found to be internally consistent based on two samples of pet owners: college students and veterinary patrons. The IPA strongly correlated with existing measures of pet attachment (PAS and CABS). As predicted, pet owners selected because they demonstrated nonconventional attachment behaviors scored higher on the IPA compared to random pet owners and reported marginally fewer social contacts and confidantes. Also as predicted, selected pet owners reported marginally fewer social contacts and confidantes than the random owners. Finally, selected pet owners were expected to score higher on measures of psychological symptoms (SCL-90-R) and mood states (MAACL) compared to the random owners but no differences were detected on these variables. For the post-hoc regression analyses, a positive relationship was predicted between the IPA and the SCL-90-R and the MAACL. These predictions were generally supported. It is important to clarify that for both pet owner groups overall SCL-90-R scores did not reach clinical elevations. A negative relationship was predicted between the IPA and social interactions but this prediction was not supported. Limitations of this study prevent concluding that the IPA is a valid measure of unhealthy attachment. This study does not establish discriminant validity between the IPA and existing measures of pet attachment. Also, inconsistencies in the results of the pet owner group comparisons and the post-hoc analyses lead to questions about the validity of the IPA. First, the nonconventional pet owners reported fewer social contacts and confidantes whereas overall scores on the IPA (both groups combined) did not correlate with the social indices. Second, the nonconventional pet owners did not score higher than the random owners on problematic symptoms or mood states; however, post-hoc regressions indicated that high IPA scores are associated with increased symptoms and anxious mood. Explanations for these contradictory findings are offered and include evaluating the selection procedure and characteristics of the pet owners participating in this study. More research is needed, particularly on a wider spectrum of pet owners, before the IPA can be confidently recommended for widespread use. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Psychology." |
| Physical Description: | x, 101 leaves ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |