Abstract
Many studies have been carried out proving that effects of pets are beneficial to overall human health. The current study aims to extend these research by measuring the effect of pet ownership on student’s level of stress, self-esteem, self-efficacy and if it impacts their grade. Data from 135 participants (male=40, female=85) were used in this between-groups correlational, quantitative method study where each students completed set of three demographic questions, a question rating their perceived academic performance and additional three quantitative self-report questionnaires regarding their stress, self-esteem and self-efficacy. The data analysis showed non-significant results for the first two hypotheses. Hypotheses three showed negative significant result and hypothesis four were supported with partly negative significant result. Implications of the findings are discussed. Further research into the area of the effect of pet ownership on students should be developed as there is no adequate research concerning the relationship between pets and students.
