Psychology of People Who Feel Understood by Their Dogs

Описание: Why do some people feel deeply bonded to their pets, while others seem more emotionally distant? Is it just love for animals—or could personality shape the strength of that bond?

In this discussion, we explored the psychological connection between pet attachment and owner personality, drawing from the research by and published in .

The study examined how both the Big Five personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) and the Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) relate to the strength of the human–animal bond.

The findings are psychologically fascinating:

Individuals high in neuroticism showed stronger attachment to their pets. Since neuroticism is linked to anxiety, emotional sensitivity, and vulnerability, this suggests that pets may serve as emotional security figures.

Conscientiousness also positively predicted stronger attachment. Highly responsible and organized individuals may invest more consistently in caregiving and bonding behaviors.

Surprisingly, the Dark Triad traits did not significantly predict attachment strength, although Machiavellianism showed a weak correlation.

Women, dog owners, parents of young children, and individuals over 50 reported stronger attachment levels.

What makes this research especially important is its mental health implication. Strong attachment was linked to traits often associated with psychological vulnerability, raising an intriguing question:

Is intense attachment to pets always a sign of emotional health—or can it sometimes reflect deeper emotional needs?

The study suggests that personality does not just shape how we relate to people—it also shapes how we bond with animals. Moreover, attachment strength alone may not tell the full story; the quality and style of attachment (secure vs. anxious) may be even more important for understanding psychological wellbeing.

This research contributes to a broader understanding of the human–animal bond from a psychological and mental health perspective, highlighting how deeply intertwined personality, attachment theory, and emotional wellbeing truly are.

For more information, please refer to the PDF below. It provides helpful and detailed insights.
👇👇👇👇

Source:
Wells, D. L., & Treacy, K. R. (2024). Pet attachment and owner personality. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15, 1406590.
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1406590
PDF: Frontiers in Psychiatry (Open Access)