Relationships Between Emotional Comfort From Companion Animals and Victimization and Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults

Abstract

Objective: The current study evaluates whether, and to what extent, the association between gender-based victimization and well-being among sexual and gender minority emerging adults varies as a function of emotional support from companion animals. Method: Data were collected from young people ages 18–21 years who self-identified as a sexual and/or gender minority (N = 134; 37.3% ethnic/racial minority; 49.2% gender minority; 98.5% sexual minority). Results: Results of simple and multiple moderation models suggest that the effect of victimization on self-esteem is moderated by comfort from companion animals and that the association between victimization and self-esteem is statistically significant at low levels of comfort from companion animals and high levels of social support. We did not find evidence of moderation in models with either anxiety or depression as the dependent variable. Conclusions: These findings underscore the potential role of emotional comfort derived from relationships with companion animals in supporting psychological well-being following gender-based victimization, as well as the importance of community collaboration between human and animal support services.