Pawsitive Connections: Understanding How Informal Pet Interactions Relate to Daily Youth Functioning

Abstract

Introduction: Human-animal interaction (HAI) has been linked to well-being across functional domains and throughout the lifespan. Limited research has explored specific types of informal HAIs with pets or the impact of HAI in daily life. Methods: Over 2 weeks in 2021, caregivers of youth (N = 42; ages 6–17, M = 12.21; 50% male) reported daily on their child's pet interactions (seven HAIs [e.g., walking, petting, taking care of], time spent with pets) and academic, emotional–behavioral, and interpersonal functioning. Our sample consisted of youth who owned at least one pet, had a comprehensive psychoeducational assessment through our Child Study Center in the southeastern United States, and whose caregivers completed at least three daily ratings. Results: We found that the type of HAI mattered in whether it was associated with better or worse outcomes for youth, with taking care of pets being robustly associated with better academic and emotional-behavioral functioning but playing with and napping with pets being linked to more difficulties. Napping with pets was associated with more difficulties for adolescents (12+), but unrelated to difficulties for children. Conclusions: Taking care of pets (but not playing with or simply spending time with pets) is beneficial for youth functioning; however, HAI may be problematic for youth with elevated psychopathology symptoms.