The cat effect : investigating the relationship between cat ownership and health : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
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Date
2016
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Massey University
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Abstract
Companion animals are an important part of the New Zealand psychosocial
environment and companion cats are particularly popular. A number of
studies have explored the relationship between pet ownership and physical
and psychological health but the results have been inconclusive. Despite a
lack of conclusive evidence people continue to believe that the presence of
pets can enhance health and wellbeing. Specifically, there is increasing
interest in the benefits to be gained from animal assisted activities and
therapies. Research based on the connection between animals and health has
mainly focused on physical and psychological outcomes. The present
qualitative research differs from the previous work in that the focus is on
investigating the nature of the owner-to-cat relationship that underpins
claims of enhanced health and wellbeing. A sample (N=10) comprising five
males and five females 45-77 years of age were recruited for the study with
the main inclusion criteria being that they owned a cat. Open ended
interviews were transcribed and the transcripts were subjected to a thematic
analysis technique to identify themes that captured common aspects relative
to the person-to-cat relationship. Four themes were identified. First,
communication enhanced connectedness and tended to be anthropomorphic
in nature. Second, companionship was linked with pleasure and often
involved a close bond. Third, inclusiveness enhanced a sense of belonging
when cats were often presented as one of the family. Fourth,
interdependence was linked to responsibility and a sense of purpose. The
overarching theme, however, was the affirmation of identity for the owner
that featured throughout the transcripts. Identity formation, maintenance and
protection were found to be fundamental to the nature of the person-to-cat
relationship. Identity affirmation was linked to a need to feel good, a need to
belong, a need to feel competent, a need to have meaning in life and self esteem,
all of which can enhance psychological health and a sense of wellbeing.
These findings related to a small group of devoted cat owners so the
findings may not apply to other types of ownership. Broader implications
related to pet assisted activities are called into question when just having a
cat around or a brief encounter may not be enough to have a positive effect
on health. For this reason, if a relationship with a cat is to have a positive
effect, you may have to really love your cat.
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Keywords
Cat owners, Psychology, Therapeutic use, Human-animal relationships, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Social sciences::Psychology