When the Bond Breaks

Variables Associated with Grief Following Companion Animal Loss

Bibliographic Data

ID7654480
AuthorsDawn M Cowling (University of Toronto), Sari G E Isenstein (University of Toronto), Margaret S Schneider (University of Toronto)
Year2020
Volume33
Issue6
Pages693-708
Publication date2020-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnthrozoös (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0892-7936 • E-ISSN: 1753-0377
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/08927936.2020.1824651
OpenAlexW3095425411
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited42

This research used an online quantitative survey to investigate variables related to grief following pet loss. These included type of relationship, animal species, amount of time since death, cause of death, attachment, and social support. We also examined emotions hypothesized to be associated with pet loss: grief, guilt, and loneliness. Female and male participants over the age of 18 years (n = 85) who had lost a companion animal within the previous six months completed the survey. We divided the cohort into three groups rep- resenting high, middle, and low levels of grief. Individuals in the high grief group experienced the highest level of guilt and loneliness when compared with those with low and medium levels of grief. Grief was also related to the way in which participants described their pets. Those who classified their pet as their "child" or "best friend" reported significantly higher levels of grief in comparison with those who considered their pets to be "good companions." Furthermore, a high level of pet attachment was associated with higher grief. Other variables related to level of grief included age, which was inversely related to grief, guilt, and loneliness, and the presence of supportive others ameliorated guilt and loneliness. Species of animal was related to guilt and grief, with rabbit owners exhibiting significantly less guilt and grief than dog and cat owners. The type of death was not associated with grief, guilt, or loneliness scores. The major- ity of respondents felt supported following their loss, although some did not feel understood and expressed a lack of social recognition for their loss

Animal welfare · Animal-assisted therapy · Complicated grief · Disenfranchised grief · Grief · Loneliness · Pet therapy · Psychiatry · Traumatic grief · Geographies of human-animal interactions · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Psychology · Clinical Psychology