Sung Ji Yu, Han Jin Soo
Department of Bio and Healing Convergence, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Institute for the 3Rs & Animal Welfare, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Jul 6;13(13):2220. doi: 10.3390/ani13132220.
This study investigates the impact of empathy on the relationship between human-dog attachment and human quality of life. A survey involving 263 dog owners was conducted to gather data on attachment to dogs, empathy, and human quality of life in Korea. The findings indicate significant correlations between attachment to dogs, human empathy, and quality of life. Specifically, both general attachment and concerns for animal rights/welfare demonstrate meaningful parallel double-mediation effects. However, cognitive empathy does not show a significant double-mediation effect on human quality of life. These findings emphasize the importance of attachment and empathy towards dogs in enhancing the quality of life of both humans and dogs. The study suggests a shift in perceiving dogs as independent individuals rather than mere substitutes for humans. Future research should focus on emotional factors, particularly affective empathy, to further enhance the quality of life for both humans and dogs through improved relationships.
本研究调查了同理心对人与狗之间的依恋关系和人类生活质量的影响。在韩国进行了一项涉及263名狗主人的调查，以收集有关对狗的依恋、同理心和人类生活质量的数据。研究结果表明，对狗的依恋、人类同理心和生活质量之间存在显著相关性。具体而言，一般依恋和对动物权利/福利的关注都显示出有意义的平行双重中介效应。然而，认知同理心对人类生活质量并未显示出显著的双重中介效应。这些发现强调了对狗的依恋和同理心在提高人类和狗的生活质量方面的重要性。该研究建议将狗视为独立个体，而不仅仅是人类的替代品。未来的研究应关注情感因素，特别是情感同理心，以通过改善关系进一步提高人类和狗的生活质量。
