The Impact of Pet Companionship on Adolescents’ Emotional States, Emotional Recognition, and Interpersonal Relationships

Northwest Normal University, Faculty of psychology, China

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of pet companionship on adolescents’ emotional states, emotional recognition abilities, and interpersonal relationships. Conducted with 11 Chinese university students from Northwest Normal University who have prior experience with pet ownership, the research utilizes semi-structured interviews to gather qualitative data. The findings reveal that interacting with pets consistently fosters positive emotions such as happiness, relaxation, and reduced stress, while also occasionally eliciting negative emotions related to pet behavior and care responsibilities. Additionally, pet companionship enhances adolescents’ abilities to recognize and regulate their own emotions, as well as to perceive and understand others’ emotions more effectively. The presence of pets also facilitates the development of interpersonal relationships by providing common interests that strengthen friendships and improve family cohesion. The study highlights the significant role of pets in supporting adolescents’ emotional well-being and social skills. However, it acknowledges limitations including a homogeneous sample and reliance on self-reported data, suggesting the need for further research to explore these dynamics across diverse populations and contexts.