Three Things to Know
Although many studies indicate that dogs generally contribute to positive childhood experiences, few have explored the extent to which this varies depending on the strength of a child’s attachment to their dog and the nature of their interaction behaviors. To understand these nuances, researchers surveyed both children and their caregivers to investigate the differential impact of these factors on child development.
As anticipated, children reporting stronger bonds with their dogs exhibited more positive behaviors towards them. Furthermore, these children demonstrated better emotion regulation, greater prosocial behavior, and fewer conduct issues, hyperactivity, and emotional instability.
In contrast, weaker attachments to dogs were associated with increased negative behaviors, greater difficulties in emotion regulation, and higher levels of psychopathology, suggesting that the quality of the attachment and the nature of interactions are crucial for realizing potential benefits. Furthermore, the researchers propose that children’s interactions with their pets may serve as an early indicator of potential behavioral issues.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners
Although the findings of this study may seem intuitive, they provide crucial scientific evidence supporting the need to educate children on positive behaviors towards dogs and the development of strong attachments. Effective educational programs can enhance children’s ability to understand canine body language, fostering better communication and empathy. Given that humane education is often absent from school curricula, and parents struggle to replicate these education programs at home, dog welfare organizations have a vital role in supporting teachers and parents by offering youth programs that address these needs.
The Full Picture
Childhood experiences with pets, especially dogs, can influence development. Many children form strong emotional bonds with their pets, turning to them for comfort and support. On the other hand, early negative interactions with animals, even if unintentional, could escalate into more serious behavioral issues without intervention.
The current study, titled “Child–Dog Attachment, Emotion Regulation and Psychopathology: The Mediating Role of Positive and Negative Behaviours”, examines two key factors:
- the strength of the child’s attachment to their pet dog, and
- the types of positive and negative behaviors children engage in with their dogs.
Study Methods
Participants were children aged 7–13 with at least one pet dog, recruited through social media, public ads, and school/university newsletters. Participants with multiple dogs answered questions about the child’s favorite or closest dog.
Data was collected online between January and August 2021. Caregivers first completed a 15-minute survey, then children completed their section separately after giving informed consent:
- Caregiver-Reported Demographics: Information on the child’s age, gender, family COVID-19 situation, number of pets, and dog characteristics (e.g., sex, breed, acquisition source).
- Child Behavior Toward the Dog: Caregivers rated 29 behaviors (positive and negative) on a 6-point scale.
- Child Psychopathology: Caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), measuring emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems, and prosocial behavior.
- Child Emotion Regulation: Caregivers completed the Emotion Regulation Checklist (ERC), assessing emotional regulation abilities and emotional lability/negativity.
- Child Attachment to Dogs: Children completed an adapted CENSHARE Pet Attachment Survey, which measured relationship intimacy, secure base, and safe haven aspects of attachment.
Study Results
The final sample included 117 caregiver reports and 77 completed child reports. The average child age was 10 years, with 57% girls and 43% boys.
Child-Dog Attachment, Child-Dog Behaviors and Outcome
As expected, stronger attachment between children and their dogs was associated with more positive child–dog behaviours, better emotion regulation, and greater prosocial behaviour. Moreover, it also relates to fewer conduct issues, hyperactivity, and emotional instability. Conversely, children less attached to their dogs showed more negative behaviours and greater difficulties with emotion regulation and psychopathology.
The study also highlights how positive interactions are not only crucial for a dog’s welfare but can have reciprocal benefits for the child’s emotional development. Positive child–dog behaviours were tied to better emotion regulation and fewer emotional difficulties, whereas negative behaviours were linked to higher levels of emotional and behavioural problems.
These results reinforce theories that human–animal attachment can promote social and emotional growth and underline that studying dog ownership alone is too simplistic; the quality of the attachment and the nature of the interactions are key. The researchers suggest that how children interact with their pets could serve as an early warning sign for potential behavioural issues. They also highlight the potential for interventions that focus on strengthening child–pet bonds and promoting positive interactions to benefit both child development and animal welfare.
Conclusion
Human-animal research often overlooks how individual differences in child-pet attachment and interaction quality impact child development. This study explored how different types of child–dog interactions mediate the relationship between attachment and children’s emotional/behavioral health.
Findings suggest that weak attachment and negative interactions with dogs could be risk factors for emotional and behavioral problems and animal cruelty. These results may inform intervention and prevention strategies aimed at promoting positive, safe human–pet relationships to support children’s psychological development.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > What Dogs Bring > Benefits to Infants & Children
Year of Publication:
2022
External Link:
Hawkins RD, Robinson C, Brodie ZP. Child–Dog Attachment, Emotion Regulation and Psychopathology: The Mediating Role of Positive and Negative Behaviours. Behavioral Sciences. 2022; 12(4):109. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12040109