Further Validation Evidence for the Pet Attitude Scale

Abstract

The influence of pets on the psychological well being of humans has been well documented and researched (Bjerke, Odegardstuen & Kaltenborn, 1998; Kidd & Kidd, 1990; Perez, 1986; Vitulli, 2006). Scarcely does a week go by without a news item concerning pets (Covel, 2008; Monge, 2008). There are a large number of postings, blogs and videos where people proudly put on display the activities of their pets (see www.youtube.com; cbs2.com/slideshows/ Fisher.Guide.Dogs. 20.748153.html). Some online news sources, such as http: //www.king5.com/video/, have a specific section dedicated to pets and animals. In fact, recently a survey was conducted comparing pet owners' and non-pet owners' preference of candidates in the upcoming presidential election (Schmid, 2008). Informal research studies like this one seldom unearth the deeper underlying dynamics behind one's choice. For one, they do not take into consideration the attitude of the respondents toward pets. Templer, Salter, Dicket, Baldwin and Veleber (1981) developed the Pet Attitude Scale (PAS) and have demonstrated its psychometric properties. A number of research studies have been conducted using the PAS. Munsell, Canfield, Templer, Tangan, & Arikawa (2004) developed a modified version of this scale. Straede and Gates (1993) have used the scale to study the psychological health of cat owners in Australia. Their findings showed that the cat owner participants had significantly better general psychological health than the non-pet participants. Al-Fayez, Awadalla, Templer & Arikawa (2003) found Kuwaiti adolescent scores on the PAS correlated more highly with that of their fathers than with the score of their mothers. This finding was different from those found with Americans where the PAS score of adolescents correlated more highly with the score of their mothers. This contrast appears to be consistent with the father's dominant role in Arab families. This study also found that Kuwaiti family members had PAS scores that were about a standard deviation lower than that of American family members. This finding is consistent with the less positive attitude toward companion animals in Muslim countries. However, like most psychological instruments, a psychometric reevaluation is needed if the instrument is to remain useful and accurate in current studies calling for the use of such a measure. The study presented here takes on the important task of using a newer sample. Also, the PAS was correlated to scores on the eight Comrey Personality Scales (CPS), with the goal of determining the correlation between the PAS and the scales of the CPS. The correlation between the PAS and the scales Empathy versus Egocentrism and Mental Toughness versus Sensitivity was of specific interest to determine if Al-Fayez, et al. (2003) finding concerning Kuwaitis holds true for American young adults. Al-Fayez, et al. (2003) found Kuwaitis with a more positive attitude toward pets also had more empathy and sensitivity. METHOD Participants One hundred and eighty-two volunteer participants were recruited amongst undergraduate and graduate students at a university in southern California. There were 159 females (87.4%) and 23 males (12.6%) that reported their gender. Almost 32 percent indicated they were white and 68.1% said they were non-white. Their ages ranged from 19 to 34 years (M = 22.5, SD = 3.4). Seventy-four (40.7%) participants indicated they have or want a pet and 108 (58.3%) stated they did not currently have a pet nor did they want one. A chi-square test on these frequencies was statistically significant, [chi square] (1, N = 182) = 6.35, p Procedure The participants were asked to complete both the Pet Attitude Scale and the Comrey Personality Scales (CPS). The Pet Attitude Scale (PAS) by Templer et al. (1981) is an instrument consisting of 18 items with a 7-point response scale. The items and response scale were not modified in any way. …