ABSTRACT

While there is a substantive body of research on benefits conveyed via the human–animal bond (HAB), less is understood about disruptions to HAB and how to potentially prevent such. The construct of commitment can elucidate such scenarios and may also help inform related interventions; however, there are few empirical measures of commitment to a companion animal, and none specific to low-income owners. The Commitment to Pets measure was created to address this gap. The scale was included in a mixed methods study of food security administered to 392 low-income adults utilizing food pantries in a Northeastern city in the United States. Of this number, 258 (66%) owned pets. Data collection included a self-administered questionnaire about demographics, food security, health, and wellbeing, and for those with pets, animal attachment, commitment, and animal information. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 pet-owning individuals who completed the questionnaire and agreed to be contacted and interviewed over the phone about food security and their pets. Exploratory factor analyses found three underlying factors: financial costs/burdens; pet behaviors and problems; family problems. These subscales associated with attachment in that higher attachment was correlated with greater commitment. However, the value of the correlations suggests they are different constructs. Moreover, analysis of the qualitative interviews supported these underlying constructs and suggested that unexpected financial costs of veterinary care and food was a major factor in considering ongoing pet ownership, even when there was a deep level of attachment between humans and their animals. Commitment is a complex construct, and additional measurement studies are needed. Findings suggest community outreach models using cross–systems collaboration have potential to support low-income pet-owning families in their commitment to pets and may aid in prevention of surrenders and HAB disruptions.

摘要

尽管关于通过人-动物键（HAB）传递的收益有大量研究，但对破坏HAB及其潜在预防方法的了解较少。承诺的构成可以阐明这种情况，也可以帮助提供有关的干预措施；但是，关于伴侣动物承诺的实证指标很少，并且没有针对低收入所有者的具体指标。创建了“宠物承诺”措施来弥补这一差距。该量表包括在美国东北部城市的392个利用食品储藏室的低收入成年人的食品安全混合方法研究中。在这个数目中，有258只（66％）拥有宠物。数据收集包括一份有关人口统计，粮食安全，健康和福祉的自填式问卷，以及那些携带宠物，动物依恋，承诺，和动物信息。对15位拥有宠物的人进行了定性访谈，他们完成了调查问卷，并同意通过电话就食品安全及其宠物进行接触和采访。探索性因素分析发现了三个基本因素：财务成本/负担；宠物的行为和问题；家庭问题。与依恋相关的这些分量表与较高的依恋相关，与更大的承诺相关。但是，相关性的值表明它们是不同的构造。此外，对定性访谈的分析支持了这些基本结构，并表明，即使在人与动物之间存在高度依恋的情况下，兽医护理和食品的意外财务成本也是考虑继续饲养宠物的主要因素。承诺是一个复杂的结构，还需要其他度量研究。研究结果表明，使用跨系统协作的社区外展模式有可能支持低收入拥有宠物的家庭对宠物的承诺，并可能有助于防止投降和HAB破坏。