14 DAY TRIAL // According to the conclusions of a new study published in the January 31 online issue of the journal Applied Developmental Science, teenagers and young adults who take care of pets tend to build stronger social relationships. Researchers have also determined that these teens are also more likely to build strong connections to their communities.
Previous studies have shown the beneficial effects of caring for animals on kids who underwent therapy, or who were in the hospital. However, the effects of everyday interactions between young adults and their pets have been largely overlooked, Science Blog reports.
“Our findings suggest that it may not be whether an animal is present in an individual’s life that is most significant but rather the quality of that relationship. The young adults in the study who had strong attachment to pets reported feeling more connected to their communities and relationships,” says Megan Mueller, from the Tufts University.
On average, teens who oversaw pets reported a higher level of willingness to provide services to their communities, in various forms. They were also more likely to help their friends or families without being asked to. Interestingly, these young adults demonstrated more leadership skills than their peers.