Pets as safe havens and secure bases: The moderating role of pet attachment orientations

We examined the extent to which a pet functions as an attachment figure. In Study 1, 165 pet owners performed a goal exploration task, assessing the number of life goals generated and confidence in goal attainment. In Study 2, 120 pet owners performed a distress-eliciting task while assessing blood pressure. In both studies, participants were divided into three conditions: pet physical presence, pet cognitive presence, and no pet presence. As compared to no pet presence, physical or cognitive pet presence increased the number of life goals generated and self-confidence in goal attainment and reduced blood pressure during the distress-eliciting task. The findings confirm the ability of a pet to provide a safe-haven and a secure-base and the moderating role of attachment insecurities.

► Physical or cognitive pet presence reduced blood pressure during distress-eliciting task.
► Pet presence also increased number of life goals generated and confidence in goal attainment.
► These beneficial effects of pet presence were reduced by pet attachment insecurities.
► The findings confirm the ability of a pet to provide a safe-haven and a secure-base for its owner.
► The findings also confirm the moderating role of pet attachment insecurities.