The Peninsula School, Inc.

PBR Housing Compound, Limay, Bataan

Philippines 2020

EXPLORING THE EFFICACY OF HOUSEHOLD PETS

AS A BUFFER TO FEELINGS OF EMOTIONAL
DISTRESS EXPERIENCED BY THE JUNIOR AND
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PET OWNERS OF THE
PENINSULA SCHOOL INC THROUGHOUT THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC

A Research Proposal
Presented to the Faculty of the Junior and Senior High School Department of
The Peninsula School, Inc.

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Subject
Practical Research 1

By:
BRANDON KYLE M. MARIANO
JUSTIN KENNETH R. JIMENEZ
KLIEN AMIEL R. PARBO
LALAINE L. DAMASCO
LATRELL G. SABANGAN

MILAGROS ROXAS, LPT

Research Adviser

MILAGROS ROXAS, LPT

Research Teacher
 February 20, 2022
Chapter I

The Problem and its Background

Introduction

The events that followed after the initial spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have left

millions dead and hundreds of millions more in a state of utter danger and uncertainty.

Aside from the many studies surrounding the biological effects of COVID-19, there have

also been various extensive studies that highlight the associated psychological toll it has

taken on the general population. These psychological effects may translate into a range of

emotional reactions (such as distress or psychiatric conditions), unhealthy behaviors (such

as excessive substance use), and noncompliance with public health directives (such as

home confinement and vaccination) in people who contract the disease and in the general

population, [3,4,5]. While the psychological consequences of COVID-19 remain relevant

across the lifespan, it has been identified that there is a significant risk to child and

adolescent mental health in particular[8,9], for adolescence is known to be a highly

developmental stage, where one’s later life health and overall well-being is greatly

impacted by their experiences at this specific period. The effects of the environment on

the adolescents are sometimes irreversible on their mental and emotional development

. During the pandemic, it has been found that both children and adolescents from all
[11,12]

development phases had high rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic symptoms.

Some of these negative (and sometimes irreversible) effects may have been brought out

by the sudden changes in their surroundings due to the ever-evolving situation at hand

(e.g school closures, the sudden surge of cases due to the surge of a new variant of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus earlier this year[13] ). These sudden changes, along with the general

fear of infection and with the removal of the freedom they once had with gaining access

to their peers physically (a critical component of how youth access social support[9]) have

all had devastating effects on the psychological well-beings of the youth as a whole, and

while the ability to connect widely via remote means remains as an option for those who

have access, people are nonetheless reporting feelings of increased loneliness, isolation,

and stress (which has physical, mental and emotional implications) [6,7]. When physical

human-human connection is limited, alternative options are vital to prevent symptoms of

post-traumatic stress from emerging, which explains why most youth have been reported

to frequently turn to their pets for emotional support and comfort, for generally, pets have

been considered to provide unconditional positive regard, non-judgemental support,

stable social contact and positive social interactions [9]. As such, it was found that locally,

Filipinos had displayed the highest interest in owning pets in Southeast Asia during the

pandemic. The benefits from these bonds may facilitate healing in similar ways to how

human-to-human relationships facilitate healing after individuals experience a traumatic

event, such as the COVID-19 pandemic[14]. Several studies have also suggested an

association between pet ownership and mental-well being among adolescents, that isn’t

necessarily limited to adolescents specifically[15]. Owning a pet has also been observed to

reduce blood pressure, loneliness, anxiety and fearfulness[16]. Moreover, animal

companionship as a strategy to help reduce human loneliness and isolation has recently

garnered significant amounts of attention from researchers, such as those specifically

focused on : isolation as a health risk factor via social determinants of health framework

and those interested in general population well-being[17], and rightfully so, for our

relationship with these creatures is been undoubtedly unique and complex. Some of these

organisms (whom we now have aptly named as pets) have managed to fit into a very
niche role in our lives, whether it be in assisting vulnerable individuals with complex

physical and mental health disorders, mitigating overwhelming feelings of sadness

especially prevalent in today’s times, or in providing us with meaningful inter-species

bonds. In uncertain times such as this, the presence of these creatures in the lives of the

Junior and Senior High School Students of the Peninsula School may serve as one of the

only constant and reliable sources of comfort available to them today. However, this

ultimately depends on the nature of the relationship/s they have with their pets and

whether or not an individual has the means to take care of one/them. Other factors, such

as students having specific allergies towards some species of pets, or simply not wanting

to be around common household animals may encourage more emotional distress than

alleviate it. Another factor to be considered will be the specific species preference

Filipinos have shown towards dogs and cats, for it may also be a significant determinant

in the degree of the overall satisfaction one may receive in a human-pet relationship, for

research has shown that dog and cat owners have displayed higher levels of satisfaction

and attachment towards their pets in comparison to individuals who own other common

household pets (rabbits, hamsters, birds, reptiles, fish)[16].

Statement of the Problem

In this study, the researches focus on whether or not these animals serve as an

effective buffer to the the varying degrees of emotional distress experienced by the

Junior High and Senior High School students of The Peninsula School Inc throughout

the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, the study aims to answer the following questions :

1.) What is the profile of the respondents in terms of :

1.1) Age

1.2) Grade Level

2) What specific effects do the presence of household pets entail on the emotional

well beings of the students?

3) How can household pets alleviate feelings of emotional distress, of varying

degrees?

4) How can household pets cause more emotional distress than alleviate it?

5) Do dog owners

Hypotheses

The following are the hypotheses of this research paper.

1) The household pets of the students successfully alleviate feelings of emotional

distress.

2) There is a preference towards owning dogs and cats as household pets specifically.

Significance of the Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has put everyone at risk of being psychologically scarred

by the sheer amount of fear and uncertainty it has caused. This includes one of the

most vulnerable age groups, the adolescent population. In these situations of

emotional distress, most students have tried their best to find different means of

coping with their circumstances, some of whom opting to seek comfort in their

household pets, whom are widely considered to be reliable sources of comfort. The

findings of this study support and share awareness of the crucial role that household

pets may play in alleviating feelings of emotional distress, leading to better emotional

health and daily functioning in general, among the Junior and Senior High School
Students of The Peninsula School Inc. Moreover, this study will provide benefits to

the following recipients :

Teenagers - This research paper intends to shed light on the detailed personal

experiences of the Junior and Senior High School Pet Owners of The Peninsula

School regarding emotional distress, and the role that their household pets may have

played in alleviating these feelings. Moreover, the research paper also gives them

more perspective and knowledge regarding household pets as a potential coping

strategy in times of crises.

Parents - The findings of this study may play a role in assisting parents with their

teenage children regarding emotional distress, and the role that household pets may

play in alleviating it.

Future Researchers - The findings of this study may serve as a basis in identifying

the efficacy of household pets as a buffer to feelings of emotional distress in the

future.

Scope and Limitations

The study intents to exclusively collect data from the students of the Junior and Senior

High Department of The Peninsula School Inc, only. Moreover, this study primarily

focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of the various household pets owned by the

students as buffers to the feelings of emotional distress they may have experienced

throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, through qualitative methods of research.

Additionally, data regarding preferences towards certain pet species will also be

investigated further in the study, in a separate Google Form.

Data will be gathered through the use of a three part questionnaire conducted through

Google Forms. The research tool is composed of the personal data section (Section 1)

(age, grade level, email address) wherein anonymity is optional, an interview-type

questionnaire regarding the respondents’ personal experiences regarding emotional

distress throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the role that their household pets

may have played in them (Section 2), and a likert-scale questionnaire regarding the

latter to more accurately gauge the efficacy of household pets as buffers to emotional

distress (Section 3). Students who do not belong to the Junior and Senior High School

department of The Peninsula School Inc are excluded from this study.

Definition of Terms

1) Emotional Distress - Emotional distress is a state of emotional suffering. The term

encompasses a wide range of symptoms, but its hallmarks are the symptoms of

depression and anxiety. People can experience it at any time, and it is usually

temporary.

2) Household Pets - Household pets refer to animals or fowl ordinarily permitted in

the dwelling area and kept for company or pleasure and not for profit such as dogs,

cats, birds, and similar small animals, but not including a sufficient number of animals

to constitute a kennel.

3) Emotional Well-Being - refers to the emotional quality of an individual's

experiences. Emotional well-being is influenced by a variety of psychological,

demographic, economic, and situational factors.

 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature and Studies

The Biophilia Hypothesis

The Biophilia Hypothesis may explain the whole reason why people are so drawn to

these animals in the first place, out of all things. The term Biophilia was first

popularized by Harvard Naturalist Dr. Edward Wilson, with him describing it as “the

natural and innate tendency of humans to connect with nature, its natural processes,

and with the living creatures that live within its confines; its biota”. This concept was

soon expanded upon by Stephen Kellert, a professor of social ecology at the Yale

School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, eventually turning into what we now

call the Biophilia Hypothesis.

Ever since the dawn of man, humans have always largely relied on their natural

environment for both survival and reproduction, a reliance deeply ingrained in our

species’ evolutionary heritage. The hypothesis states that, our reliance on the natural

environment eventually led us to develop this tendency to prefer being close to nature,

a tendency that transcends the simple matters of material and physical sustenance; a

side effect of human existence that makes us yearn for something more, an assertion

that may reach well beyond the poetic and philosophical articulation of nature’s

capacity to inspire and morally inform, a hypothesized universal biological need of

ours to form intimate emotional connections with nature and all of its features, a

connection that improves, enriches and gives more meaning to our lives, and one that

contributes greatly to our emotional, cognitive, aesthetic and even spiritual growth in

the process[19].
The study of human attitudes toward animals is an extremely complex issue,

involving a multitude of evolutionary, psychological, and cultural aspects. Evidence

of this particular curiosity and fondness for nature (and for its biota specifically), has

been highly empirical in nature, and is seen in a wide breadth of cultures globally, a

fondness that persists even today, and one that can be traced back to times long past,

about twelve thousand years ago. A more famous example of this fondness is seen in

Ancient Egypt, for in their society, animals, (with the most prominent species among

them being cats) were seen as mutually-beneficial companions that provided support

in their daily lives, both in life and beyond their perception of death; the afterlife.

Moreover, they were also perceived as symbols of divinity and protection; as worthy

representations of the divine aspects of their many gods. This appreciation has carried

over well today and is observed in the many aspects of our lives, from our enthusiastic

attitudes towards their perceived “cuteness” in today’s times, to the emergence of

“plantito” and “plantita” culture locally here in the Philippines, which displays our

appreciation for nature as a whole; for both it’s biotic and abiotic elements.

Moreover, the concept of Biophilia has two fundamental constructs: fascination and

affiliation. Nature exerts a fascination on human beings, that is, an attraction capable

of activating the involuntary/effortless modality of attention. Affiliation, on the other

hand, is our capacity to experience empathy and establish emotional bonds with other

creatures. Given these constructs, biophilia may serve as a mechanism for people to

adjust to a hostile environment[19,21].

Psychological studies today have demonstrated the capacity of nature to increase life

satisfaction and improve attention restoration and stress recovery[22]. Adding elements
of nature to living spaces can also presumably induce positively valued changes in

cognition and emotion, which again may impact on stress level, health and well-

being. More specifically, contact with Nature has been reported to have psychological

benefits by reducing stress, improving attention, by having a positive effect on mental

restoration, and by coping with attention deficits. In addition to mental advantages,

there appear to be direct physical health benefits, such as increased longevity, and

self-reported health[23] .

The idea that interacting with nature, and all of its biota can have positive effects on

health and well-being seems to be well substantiated. The hypothesis itself is highly

based on empirical data, but is supported by theoretical expectations, one of which

suggests that the absence of nature may cause potential discord, contributing to

obesity, depression and attention disorders among children[23].

Attitudes towards certain pet species

People’s proneness towards, and consideration of animal species greatly depends on

attributes intrinsic to the animal itself: both it’s physical and behavioral

characteristics. These characteristics largely influence human perception of animals

and explain why people like certain species, while disliking others[24]. Interestingly,

data from a substantial body of literature on human attitudes and likeness of some

species show that animals who are more phylogenetically close to humans

(physically, behaviorally, or cognitively), tend to be more preferred, evoke more

positive affect, as well as higher concern in terms of welfare and conservation.

However, similarity to humans, in particular phylogenetic closeness, is only one of

the animal attributes that may explain the enormous variance in people’s attitudes

toward animals. Animal physical appearance, including aesthetic qualities (e.g color),

was shown to be a salient factor underlying human attitudes toward animals. In a

study comparing the appeal of different species of animals (vervet monkey, chicken,

cat, spider, rattlesnake, sheep, mouse, lion, eagle owl, turtle, monarch butterfly, and

snail) to children and adolescents, it was found that Mammals had the highest

preference rating with Invertebrates having the lowest. Anthropomorphic features,

large size and neotenous traits, represent the animal attributes that have been the most

consistently shown to affect human preferences and attitudes that contribute to the

formation of preferences[24].

The Baby Schema

Another notion that might further explain why people appreciate certain pet species so

much, might be attributed to the presence of certain facial features in pets that have

the ability to trigger an innate releasing mechanism for care-giving and affective

orientation, the Baby Schema. The Baby Schema refers to the set of infantile physical

features (e.g, a large head and a round face, a high and protruding forehead, large

eyes, and a small nose and mouth) that are widely perceived as “cute”or very

aesthetically pleasing, that motivates care-taking behavior in other individuals,

therefore providing the fundamental function of enhancing offspring survival, as

proposed by ethologist Konrad Lorenz. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that

both the behavioral and physical infantile features present in household pets might

form the basis of our attraction to these animals and may bear some part of the

responsibility for our motivational drive to pet-keeping and pet-caretaking[24].

The Concept of the baby schema has also been described to be an emotional response

“releasing” social behaviors, such as play and other affiliative interactions, and only

indirectly leading to caregiving. In this context, authors rethink cuteness as not simply

triggering care/parental behavior, but more in general as motivating social

engagement. This vision would explain a variety of evidence on the existence of the

baby schema response beyond the parent-infant relationship (e.g., responsiveness

toward non-kin children and animals, use of infantile traits in toys, cartoons, and

robots)[24].

Accumulating behavioral and neurophysiological studies support the idea of infantile

faces as highly biologically relevant stimuli rapidly and unconsciously capturing

attention and eliciting positive emotions. The evidence indicates an extensive neural

circuitry involved in the perception of infant faces. Enhanced activation has been

found in brain areas involved in face perception, attention, reward and emotion

processing, empathy, and motor control.

The concept of “cuteness” not only encompasses the processing of specific

morphological features; it also involves an affectionate behavioral response towards

the subject of increased aesthetic value. This specific type of response has been

characterized by an overall increase in feelings of positive affect and protective

behavior among humans, with a decrease in the likelihood of aggression towards the

subject of aesthetic value. Additionally, Lorenz added that the concept was not

restricted to conspecifics; it could also be elicited by heterospecifics. Several

empirical studies have shown this generalization of the cute response to many species

of animals, along with many of their modern representations, such as their depictions
in animated cartoons (e.g Mickey Mouse), and in toys (Teddy Bears). Additionally,

studies today have shown that this response to infantile facial configurations emerges

early during human development, in as early as three years years old. The

manipulation of infant-like traits affected both cuteness perception and gaze allocation

to infantile stimuli and to specific facial features (e.g the eyes), an effect not simply

limited to human faces[24].

It is well known that some animals, such as the most common pet species (i.e., dogs

and cats), exhibit lifelong morphological and behavioral infantile characteristics. The

effects of the baby schema on cuteness perception and attentional response was

assessed in young children (3–6 years old) using eye-tracking techniques and a

controlled design in which stimuli (human, dog, and cat faces) were objectively

quantified according to the baby schema content. These pictures of the various stimuli

were edited and divided into two categories, that fit the requirements for both low and

high baby schema. Results demonstrated that the images with high baby schema

scored higher “cuteness” ratings than that of the non-edited photos. Among these high

baby schema images, the image of the dog was shown to have the highest overall

“cuteness” score, with the image of the cat scoring the second highest and with the

image of the human face scoring the least. Furthermore, this specific interest towards

cats and dogs is greatly reflected in Filipinos’ most commonly Google searched terms

regarding interest in pets, with the search terms “cats for adoption,” “dogs for

adoption,” “small pets for adoption,” “cats for sale,” “dogs for sale,” and “small pets

for sale”, being the most prevalent among all of the most frequently searched terms

related to pet interest in the Philippines.

Attachment Theory

As proposed by the psychiatrist John Bowlby, humans possess a primary motivational

drive to form close affectional bonds. During childhood, a secure attachment to the

caregiver (often but not necessarily the mother) provides a secure base from which an

infant can explore the environment and on which he/she can form lasting, secure, and

intimate bonds on the path adulthood.

The various effects of the presence of household pets, dogs and cats as a bias

Human satisfaction and Pet Ownership , dogs and cats as a bias

A quarantine is defined as “the separation and restriction of movement of people who

have potentially been exposed to a contagious disease to ascertain if they become

unwell, so reducing the risk of them infecting others.” [24]

Attachment Theory

The attachment theory’s original principle was that the attachment between an infant

and their caregiver was crucial to the development of a child, and was one of the most

basic needs of an infant growing up. Nowadays, this theory has been expanded in

several ways, one of them being the comparison between the attachment of a person

to their significant other and their attachment to their pets. It was found that the

attachment between a pet and its owner was more secure in every way possible than it

is with a significant other. A pet is a natural object of attachment since it is readily

available, active and mobile, and affectionate. “Having a relationship with a living

creature other than another person allows for a wide range of behaviors and

interactions”[24] .
The science behind this phenomenon

Dogs and Cats as a bias specifically

Household pets,
Moreover, the companionship they may offer can be crucial aspects of mental health

recovery[18].

Moreover, it was also found that that Filipinos had the highest interest in owning pets

in Southeast Asia during the pandemic, with interest rates increasing by about eighty-

eight percent, accounting for about fifty-three percent of the region’s [10].
Attachment Theory

The attachment theory’s original principle was that the attachment between an infant

and their caregiver was crucial to the development of a child, and was one of the most

basic needs of an infant growing up. Nowadays, this theory has been expanded in

several ways, one of them being the comparison between the attachment of a person

to their significant other and their attachment to their pets. It was found that the

attachment between a pet and its owner was more secure in every way possible than it
is with a significant other. A pet is a natural object of attachment since it is readily

available, active and mobile, and affectionate. “Having a relationship with a living

creature other than another person allows for a wide range of behaviors and

interactions”[24] .

According to an article published by Iris Smolkovic, Mateja Fajfar, and Vesna

Mlinaric, evidence implies that human-pet relationships have psychological, physical,

and social benefits, particularly for cat owners and dog owners. Hirschman (1994)

discovered that people choose to keep animals as pets to meet their social needs. Pets

can be friends with their owners, displaying unconditional and nonjudgmental

affection (Hill, Gaines, & Wilson, 2008). 

In an article written by Shelby H Wanser, Kristyn R Vitale, Lauren E Thielke, Lauren

Brubaker, and Monique AR Udell, they concluded that, for younger children, as long

as proper precautions and supervision is provided, attachments to pets may provide

benefits. Older children, on the other hand, may be more likely to offer care or

participate in cooperative activities with their pets, potentially increasing their

chances of becoming the carer in the attachment equation. This could have its own set

of consequences and benefits, which could be similar to or unique from the support

that younger children receive from their pets.

people have been depicted to have both brought plants into their houses and gardens

more than two thousand (2,000) years ago. Today, the elements of nature in society
are widespread, from the integration of plants and trees in many cities, to the various

laws we have established to protect what semblance of nature we have left.

This tendency of ours plays a huge role in our lives and how we go about living them.

This can be observed

The hypothesis

Psychological studies have demonstrated the capacity of nature to increase life

satisfaction and improve attention restoration and stress recovery

Humans have always largely relied on their natural environment for survival and

reproduction, eventually leading us to develop a tendency to prefer being close to

nature through an emotional connection.

Harvard naturalist Dr. Edward Wilson popularized the term biophilia—the idea that
humans have an innate tendency to connect with nature. It is important to note that
biophilia can mean both love for living creatures (life) and love for Nature (Life),
understood as the set of living creatures plus the abiotic environment in which they
thrive [2]. Biophilia has two fundamental constructs: fascination and affiliation. Nature
exerts a fascination on human beings, that is, an attraction capable of activating the
involuntary/effortless modality of attention. Affiliation, on the other hand, is our
capacity to experience empathy and establish emotional bonds with other creatures.
Given these constructs, biophilia may serve as a mechanism for people to adjust to a
hostile environment. Thus, during this pandemic, I propose that biophilia helps
combat the negative effects, most especially mental health

Multiple theories have emerged to explain why people may turn to their pets for social

support and companionship. One of these theories, the biophilia hypothesis, posits

that humans are innately drawn to other living things (Wilson, 1984). This draw to

other animals has an evolutionary basis because human survival rates increase with

heightened attention on the environment. Beyond attention, attachment theory

suggests that the bonds that humans create with other living animals are also

important for safety and security (Beck & Madresh, 2008). The emotional bonds

created through healthy attachment with animals have the potential to offer significant

support to individuals during traumatic and uncertain times like the COVID-19

pandemic. The benefits from these bonds may facilitate healing in similar ways to

how human-to-human relationships facilitate healing after individuals experience a

traumatic event (e.g., López-Zerón & Blow, 2017). Initial evidence suggests that the

emotional bond shared between people and animals may offer a source of

nonjudgmental support as well as a source of unconditional positive regard (e.g.,

Walsh, 2009), which may be important when human-to-human bonds are not

accessible.
The various social, emotional and physical benefits of the presence of these

companion animals in our lives have all been supported by empirical evidence. Such

positive benefits have been indicated to occur simultaneously in the presence of these

companion animals, and serve to augment each other. An example of this

phenomenon is seen in individuals who hold, or bond with a pet they feel positively

toward. As they stroke their pets, a peptide hormone associated with social behavior

called Oxytocin may be released, that causes a slowing of heart rate, respiration rate

and blood pressure and also a strong sense of attachment towards the companion

animal; such physical effects can trigger or increase emotional feelings of affection

and well being[17

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