Graduate Program

Clinical Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2001

Thesis Director

William Addison

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the relationship between the intensity of bonding and grief responses among adults following the death of their dogs or cats. Three hypotheses were considered: 1) The strength of the bond between an adult and a pet will predict the intensity of grief following the death of that pet. Specifically, adults who are more strongly bonded with a pet will experience more intense grief following the death of that pet than adults who are less strongly bonded. 2) Regardless of type of animal, women will be more highly bonded to pets, and women will report more intense grief than men. 3) Regardless of gender, individuals will be more highly bonded with dogs than with cats, and individuals' grief responses will be more intense following the death of a dog than following the death of a cat. To test these hypotheses, 108 adults completed survey materials that included the Pet Attitude Scale (PAS) and a modified version of the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief (TRIG). Participants were recruited from Lake Land College and a local veterinary facility. Results supported the first and second hypotheses. There was a trend in the predicted direction for the third hypothesis regarding bonding and both past and present grief; however, the results were not significant. Implications of the findings and suggestions for further research are addressed.

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