Effects of Human-Animal Interaction on Positive Youth Development: A Replication Study

Authors

• Allison Pachunka, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Jay Jeffries, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• LIsa Karr, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Lena Luck, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Bryan A. Reiling, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Douglas H. Schultz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Jeffrey R. Stevens, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Abstract

Interacting with animals can improve health and well-being across the lifespan. Some programs such as 4-H and FFA center around youth interacting with animals, potentially enhancing youth development. Mueller (2014) investigated whether these interactions and attitudes about animals influenced measures of positive youth development. The aim of our studies was to replicate Mueller’s methods and extend her work by evaluating whether membership in animal-focused youth programs moderate associations between interactions, attitudes, and positive youth development. We did not find strong relationships among human–animal inter-action and positive youth development, which failed to replicate Mueller’s findings. However, we did find relationships between animal attitudes and positive youth development. Member-ship in animal-focused youth programs did not moderate observed effects. Thus, though animal attitudes are associated with positive youth development, membership in a youth program does not enhance these relationships, and human–animal interactions do not have strong associations with positive youth development.

Recommended Citation

Pachunka, Allison; Jeffries, Jay; Karr, LIsa; Luck, Lena; Reiling, Bryan A.; Schultz, Douglas H.; and Stevens, Jeffrey R. (2026) "Effects of Human-Animal Interaction on Positive Youth Development: A Replication Study," People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice: Vol. 9 : Iss. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol9/iss1/5