A study of pet companionship, sense of belonging, and psychological well-being among emerging adults in Malaysia

Chong, Xin Yi (2025) A study of pet companionship, sense of belonging, and psychological well-being among emerging adults in Malaysia. Final Year Project, UTAR.

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Abstract

In Malaysia, growing concerns about mental health have highlighted the importance of psychological well-being among emerging adults. This developmental stage is often marked by inter and intrapersonal challenges, making it essential to explore factors that support and enhance their psychological well-being. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between pet companionship, sense of belonging, and psychological well-being among emerging adults in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, using purposive sampling to recruit 128 Malaysian emerging adults aged between 18 and 29 years. Data was collected through an online self-administered questionnaire. The instruments used in the study were Comfort from Companion Animals Scale (CCAS), Sense of Belonging Instrument – Psychological (SOBI-P), and Brief 18-item Psychological Well-Being Scale. The findings revealed that Malaysia emerging adults reported high levels of pet companionship, sense of belonging, and psychological well-being. A statistically significant positive relationship among the three variables. Meanwhile, both pet companionship and sense of belonging were strong predictors of psychological well-being. These findings provided theoretical support for the PERMA model from Seligman’s Well-Being Theory, also offer valuable insight for future study by highlighting the need to develop inclusive and culturally appropriate mental health interventions that incorporate both human-animal bonds and social affiliation strategies to enhance the psychological well-being of emerging adults within the Malaysian context.

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