Citation :

Zia Dixit, "Companionship and Connection: Pet Ownership and Loneliness Across Gender and Family Structures," International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 65-72, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V13I5P107

Abstract

This study examined whether owning a pet is related to psychological well-being, stress, and loneliness, while also considering differences in age, gender, and family type. The study included 70 participants, of whom 29 were pet owners and 41 were non-pet owners. Participants completed questionnaires measuring psychological well-being, loneliness, stress, and, for pet owners, their level of attachment to their pets was measured using the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (Brief-LAPS). The results showed that pet owners experienced significantly lower levels of overall loneliness and emotional loneliness than non-pet owners. Differences were also found in psychological well-being, with men and people from joint families reporting higher levels of well-being. Differences in loneliness were also found between some age groups. However, owning a pet did not lead to significant differences in psychological well-being or stress. Additionally, the strength of attachment to a pet was not linked to well-being, loneliness, or stress among pet owners. Overall, the findings suggest that pets may provide companionship and help reduce loneliness, particularly emotional loneliness, but owning a pet does not necessarily improve overall psychological well-being or reduce stress.

Keywords

Pets, Loneliness, Attachment, Pet Owners, Psychological Well Being, Stress.

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