Executive skills in urban India: A comparative study of pet owners and non-owners, considering pet type and duration

The purpose of the present study was to explore the connection between having a pet, the kind of pet, the length of time of having a pet, and executive functioning in urban adults. A quantitative research approach was used with a sample of 196 urban residents of India (aged 16-70 years), chosen through purposive random sampling. Information about pet ownership and executive functioning was gathered using a questionnaire, including the Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised. Statistical analyses included an independent samples t-test, analysis of variance, Spearman's rank-order correlation, and multiple regression. The results showed a statistically significant difference in executive functioning between pet owners and those without pets, with pet owners showing better executive skills. However, the analysis of variance showed no significant differences in executive functioning across different kinds of pets. Spearman's correlation showed a weak, non-significant negative relationship between the length of pet ownership and executive functioning. In the multiple regression model, the length of pet ownership was found to be a significant predictor of better executive functioning, while pet type was not a significant predictor. These results indicate a potential positive link between having a pet, especially for a longer period, and executive functioning in urban adults, although the type of pet did not significantly influence this outcome in this sample. The implications of these findings for understanding the connection between humans and animals and cognitive function in urban settings are discussed, along with the study's limitations and suggestions for future research.