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The perceived costs and benefits of pet ownership for homeless people in the UK: practical costs, psychological benefits and vulnerability
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 12:34 authored by Lara Howe, Matthew EasterbrookMatthew EasterbrookWe sought to understand why many homeless people own pets despite the associated costs. Thematic analyses of interviews with seven homeless pet-owners indicated that interviewees perceived—not always accurately—that their pets limited their mobility and access to services. However, this was seen as a worthwhile cost for the companionship and sense of responsibility their pets provided, which increased resilience and enabled a reduction in substance abuse. Pet ownership also rendered interviewees psychologically vulnerable as the loss of a pet was highly traumatic and ignited coping mechanisms. We discuss the implications for homeless support services in the UK.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Journal of PovertyISSN
1087-5549Publisher
Taylor & FrancisExternal DOI
Issue
6Volume
22Page range
486-499Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-03-21First Open Access (FOA) Date
2019-10-20First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-03-21Usage metrics
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