Study: Overbearing, neurotic "helicopter parenting" may be a good thing when it comes to our pets

CALIFORNIA (WITI) -- "Helicopter parenting" may not be the best strategy when it comes to raising independent and successful children -- but could it be advantageous when it comes to our furry children?

A study out of UC BARKley (Berkeley) and California State University, East Bay shows those who express the greatest affection for their pets are also rated among the most conscientious and neurotic -- suggesting that the qualities that make for overbearing parents might work better for our dogs and cats because our pets require lifelong parenting.

The Web-based survey targeted more than 1,000 pet owners nationwide.

It analyzed the key personality traits and parenting styles of folks who identify themselves as a "cat person," a "dog person" or "neither."

“The fact that higher levels of neuroticism are associated with affection and anxious attachment suggests that people who score higher on that dimension may have high levels of affection and dependence on their pets, which may be a good thing for pets," Mikel Delgado, a co-author of the study said.

UC Berkeley reports the results of this study echo a 2010 study out of the University of Texas that analyzed pet owners' personalities -- showing dog owners are more extroverted, but less open to new experiences, while cat owners are more neurotic, but also more creative and adventurous.

The latest study out of UC Berkeley is the first in the United States to take a look at the principles of human attachment theory -- which assesses the bond between parents and children -- or between romantic partners and combine that with pet owners' personality types -- including whether they identify as a "dog person" or a "cat person."

Nearly 40 percent of those surveyed said they liked dogs and cats equally, while 38 percent identified as dog people and 19 percent as cat people. Three percent favored neither.

The online questionnaire was based on both human and animal attachment assessments, including one that measures the “Big Five” overarching human characteristics (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism). Pet owners were also rated according to the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale, which measures affection for pets, and the Pet Attachment Questionnaire, which gauges “anxious attachment” and “avoidant attachment.”

People who score high on anxious attachment tend to need more reassurance from the objects of their affection, and in the survey those tended to be younger people who chose a cat as a favorite pet.

Conversely, people who rate highly on avoidant attachment, which refers to a less affectionate and more withdrawn temperament – and can inspire such rejoinders as “commitment-phobe” in romantic relationships – are much less needy. Both dog and cat lovers scored low on avoidant attachment, suggesting both personality types enjoy close relationships with their pets.

The authors of this study say they plan to dig more deeply into the link between neuroticism and affection for and dependence on one's pet.