The perception of cognitive triad according to attachment styles with pets and parents

The aim of this study was to assess whether patterns of attachment to pets and parents were predictive of basic cognitive perceptions which is called negative cognitive triad. Additionally, it also aims to investigate whether some demographic and animal-based variables affect negative cognitive triad. The study sample included 368 (female 67.9% and male 32.1%) adult who have pet. The Cognitive Triad Inventory, Lexington Pets Attachment Scale, Three Dimensional Attachment Styles Scale, and a questionnaire including questions to measure demographic variables were administered to the participants. In order to analyze the relationship between cognitive triad and attachment patters to parents and pets, comparisons of the independent group samples for all variables were examined. For this purpose, cut-off points were determined by dividing the mean score of the LPAS and the secure attachment subscale of TDASS according to their cumulative percentages. Groups were decided according to the determined inclusion criteria to the level of the attachment style for each participants. The findings reveal that the attachment styles to the parents has a crucial effect on basic cognition scores which is called cognitive triad. The tendency to negatively perceive view of self, others/world, and the future (cognitive triad) is more likely to one who has strong emotional bound with their pets, and weak emotional bound with others. Additionally, it is also found that the pattern of attachment to parents is more determinant than the pattern of attachment to pets in terms of cognitive triad. The findings of the study were discussed within the context of related theorems, research, and literature.