Parenting, Pets and Children Survey - About the research
About the research
What is this study about?
The family and in particular, mums and dads are really important in supporting children to be healthy, happy and to meet their potential. Pets also can play an important role in the lives of Australian families and children with over 62% of households having at least one pet.
This project looks at how parents and children’s relationships with their pet cat or dog influences the wellbeing of children and how they get along with other people in their lives. We are interested in gaining the perspective of parents and their children (aged 7-18 years) about these issues.
Who is conducting the study?
The study is being conducted by researchers from the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland. See: https://pfsc.psychology.uq.edu.au/
What will parents do?
- Complete an anonymous online survey with questions about your pet, your parenting, your child’s relationship with your pet, your child’s feelings, behaviours and relationships with other children. For more details on what parents will do click here.
- The survey will take around 30 minutes.
- Consider asking your child (aged 7 to 18 years) to fill in a shorter (10 minute) anonymous survey. For more details on what children will do click here.
NOTE: Parents can complete the survey even if their child does not. All responses are extremely valuable in helping us to investigate how parent and children’s relationships with pets are related to childrens’ wellbeing.
How will our answers help?
- Although participation in the study may not directly benefit you or your family, the information that we get from families will help us to learn about the relationship between parenting, parent and child relationships with pets and child wellbeing.
- We will use findings from the study to develop better ways to support parents to promote positive relationships with pets and to promote their child’s wellbeing.
I’m interested in doing the survey! What next?
- Click on ‘Start Survey’ below.
- Request a hard copy.
