Betty J. Carmack

Continuing Bonds and Psychosocial Adjustment in Pet Loss

This study investigated continuing bonds (CB) expressions among bereaved pet owners and the relationship between CB expressions and psychosocial adjustment. The sample included 33 participants who had lost a dog or cat within the past year. Participants who responded to a differentiated set of 12 CB expressions reported a tendency to experience CB as more comforting than distressing, and the extent to which they endorsed each of the CB expressions was comparable to that found in a spousal loss sample, thus highlighting important similarities in pet loss to that shown in human loss in regard to CB. The CB comfort ratings also provided unique information beyond extent of CB endorsement in predicting psychosocial adjustment. The implications of the findings are discussed in the context of an attachment perspective on pet loss.

Online Survey as Empathic Bridging for the Disenfranchised Grief of Pet Loss

The current cross-cultural study investigated grief reactions of bereaved individuals following the death of a pet. We used qualitative methodology to compare, analyze, and report responses of U.S. and French Canadian participants to the last open-ended question on our online pet loss survey. We explored the degree to which our data illustrated pet loss as disenfranchised grief and asked whether there are differences and commonalities in the expression of grief between the two samples. Four major themes emerged: lack of validation and support; intensity of loss; nature of the human pet relationship; and continuing bonds. Findings confirm that, for both the U.S. and French Canadian participants, pet loss is often disenfranchised grief and there are ways to facilitate expressions of grief. Many participants wrote that the survey was therapeutic. Our survey allowed participants to express their grief in an anonymous, safe way by serving as empathic bridging and a willingness to help others.

Realistic Representations of Companion Animals in Comic Art in the USA

Comic art reflecting cultural and social values serves as social commentary. Cartoons and comics in the USA portraying dimensions of the human-companion animal bond, were examined to determine the ...

Posttraumatic Growth Following the Loss of a Pet

The current study examined posttraumatic growth (PTG) experienced by bereaved pet owners following the death of their pet. Using qualitative methodology, we analyzed responses of 308 participants who answered yes to a question about experiencing PTG. Within the five factors model of PTG, the most endorsed included the following: Relating to Others (n = 76), Appreciation of Life (n = 52), Personal Strength (n = 51), Spiritual Change (n = 32), and New Possibilities (n = 29). Other themes not captured by the PTG included as follows: relating to animals (n = 70), continuing bonds (n = 53), attachment relationship (n = 44), and unconditional love (n = 13). Our findings support the notion that PTG occurs for people who have experienced pet loss, with new emergent themes.

Projective Drawings of Individuals Grieving the Loss of a Pet

Abstract This study examined the relationship among projective drawings and mental health symptomatology to determine if projective drawings provide clinical utility in pet bereavement. Projective drawings, standardized questionnaires, and clinical interview results were collected from 33 adults grieving the loss of a pet. Drawings were coded into a psychosocial adjustment score based on formal artistic elements, specific indicators (e.g., placement of figure), subject portrayal, and use of space. Results showed that those with greater severity of grief and/or somatization displayed poorer psychosocial adjustment. In conjunction with behavioral observations and verbal reflections, projective drawings add clinical utility by introducing a nonverbal form of expression helpful in understanding the severity of grief and in opening up shared communication with those experiencing loss.

Posttraumatic Growth Following the Loss of a Pet: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

The current study examined Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) experienced by bereaved pet owners in the United States, French-Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong following the death of their pet. Using qualitative methodology, we analyzed responses of participants who answered “yes” to a question about experiencing PTG and explored to what extent the cross-cultural responses mapped onto the five factors of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). For the U.S. sample, 58% of responses mapped onto the PTGI. For French-Canada, 72% of responses mapped onto the PTGI. For Japan, 50% of responses mapped onto the PTGI and for Hong Kong, 39% of responses mapped onto the PTGI. We also explored emergent categories related to PTG for individuals who have lost a pet and discerned the unique aspects for PTG across cultures.

Continuing Bonds and Psychosocial Functioning in a Recently Bereaved Pet Loss Sample

ABSTRACT Research has shown that pet loss can be a devastating and complex experience for some human survivors, yet this loss may not be fully recognized by friends, partners, or acquaintances as a significant bereavement. The objectives of the current study were to consider how continuing bonds (CB) expressions relate to psychosocial functioning and to identify perceived social constraints as well as areas of resilience associated with efforts to cope with recent pet loss. Through an anonymous online survey, participants (n = 4,336) who had lost a pet to death within the past year were recruited via bereavement support groups and associated websites across the US. Findings in this severely bereaved sample demonstrated the utilization of a wide range of CB (e.g., reflecting on fond memories, holding onto possessions), which were experienced as comforting or distressing to varying extents across the sample. In addition, social constraints were associated with more negative mental health and functional outcomes, while post traumatic growth was in some cases associated with lower mental health and functional complaints. Results are discussed in terms of similarities in patterns of bereavement in human and pet loss samples as well as the importance of considering likely idiosyncratic patterns of response to loss. For example, distress and comfort associated with different efforts to maintain a connection to a deceased pet may occur simultaneously. Given the cross-sectional nature of the current study, experimental and longitudinal research is recommended to determine whether increasing CB efforts experienced as comforting may be a potentially adaptive, growth-enhancing aspect of bereavement.

Continuing Bonds Research with Animal Companions: Implications for Men Grieving the Loss of a Dog

It is evident that animal companions have a deep capacity for acceptance, adoration, attention, forgiveness, and unconditional love, thus, satisfying some of our greatest human needs. Pets also help humans to overcome or prevent a sense of isolation that is frequently experienced due to life struggles.