Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring the Role of Playfulness with Canine Companions in Coping with Stress: How Men Are Impacted by Human–Animal Interaction Through Calling on a Memory of Play

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Men and Their Dogs

Abstract

Today, animal companions, those nonhumans that by definition are psychologically experienced as a close friend or family member, have become more visible than ever in everyday life (Blazina et al. in The psychology of the human-animal bond. Springer Publishing, New York, NY, 2011).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1982). Attachment: Retrospect and prospect. In C. M. Parkes & J. Stevenson-Hinde (Eds.), The place of attachment in human behavior (pp. 3–30). New York, NY: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1989). Attachments beyond infancy. American Psychologist, 44(4), 709–716. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.44.4.709

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, K., Blascovich, J., & Mendes, W. B. (2002). Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends, and spouses: The truth about cats and dogs. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64(5), 727–739. doi:10.1097/00006842-200209000-00005

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, W., Reid, C., & Jennings, G. (1992). Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The Medical Journal of Australia, 157(5), 298–301.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Auerhahn, N. C., & Laub, D. (1987). Play and playfulness in Holocaust survivors. The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 42, 45–58. PMID 3438380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aune, K. S., & Wong, N. C. H. (2002). Antecedents and consequences of adult play in romantic relationships. Personal Relationships, 9(3), 279–286. doi:10.1111/1475-6811.00019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, L. A. (1991). The playful child: Measurement of a disposition to play. Play & Culture, 4(1), 51–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, L. A. (2007). The nature of playfulness in young adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(4), 949–958. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2007.02.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K. (1990). Avoidance of intimacy: An attachment perspective. Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, 7(2), 147–178. doi:10.1177/0265407590072001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226–244. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.61.2.226

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bauman, A., Russell, S., Furber, S., & Dobson, A. (2000). The epidemiology of dog walking: An unmet need for human and canine health. The Medical Journal of Australia, 175(11–12), 632–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, L., & Madresh, E. A. (2008). Romantic partners and four-legged friends: An extension of attachment theory to relationships with pets. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals, 21(1), 43–56. doi:10.2752/089279308X274056

    Google Scholar 

  • Bekoff, M. (2001). Social play behaviour. Cooperation, fairness, trust, and the evolution of morality. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 8(2), 81–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bekoff, M., Allen, C., & Burghardt, G. M. (2002). The cognitive animal: Empirical and theoretical perspectives on animal cognition. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bekoff, M., & Pierce, J. (2009). Wild justice: The moral lives of animals. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Blazina, C. (2011). Life after loss: Psychodynamic perspectives on a continuing bonds approach with “pet companion”. In C. Blazina, G. Boyraz, & D. Shen-Miller (Eds.), The psychology of the human-animal bond (pp. 203–224). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Blazina, C., & Bartone, A. (2015). Moving beyond essentialism in the psychoanalytic theories of masculinity: Implications for theory, practice, and research. In S. Wester & J. Wong (Eds.), APA handbook of men and masculinity (pp. 105–122). Washington, DC: APA Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blazina, C., Boyraz, G., & Shen-Miller, D. S. (2011). The psychology of the human-animal bond. New York, NY: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Blazina, C., & Watkins, C. E, Jr. (2000). Separation/individuation, parental attachment, and male gender role conflict: Attitudes toward the feminine and the fragile masculine self. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 1(2), 126–132. doi:10.1037/1524-9220.1.2.126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1979). The making and breaking of affectional bonds. London: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1999). Attachment and loss: Vol I (2nd ed., pp. 13–23). New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. (2004). The human-animal bond and self-psychology: Toward a new understanding. Society & Animals, 12(1), 67–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. E. (2007). Companion animals as self-objects. Anthrozoos, 20(4), 329–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bustad, L. K. (1987). Investigators’ interrelationship with laboratory animals. Laboratory Animal Science, 37, 167–170.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, S. (1912). The note-books of Samuel Butler. London: A.C. Fifield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buttner, A. P., Thompson, B., & Strasser, R. (2015). Evidence for a synchronization of hormonal states between humans and dogs during competition. Physiology & Behavior, 147(2015), 54–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cachia, P. (2001). The interplay of gender role conflict and adult attachment. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Malta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cain, A. O. (1983). A study of pets in the family system. In H. Katcher & A. M. Beck (Eds.), New perspectives on our lives with companion animals (pp. 72–81). Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cassidy, J. (1999). The nature of the child’s ties. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 3–20). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charnetski, C. J., Riggers, S., & Brennan, F. (2004). Effect of petting a dog on immune system functioning. Psychological Reports, 3(2), 1087–1091. doi:10.2466/pr0.95.3f.1087-1091

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S., & Janicki-Deverts, D. (2012). Who's stressed? Distributions of psychological stress in the United States in probability samples from 1983, 2006, and 2009. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 42(6), 1320–1334. doi: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2012.00900.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385–396. doi:10.2307/2136404

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Corson, S. A., Corson, E. O., Gwynne, P. H., & Arnold, L. E. (1977). Pet dogs as nonverbal communication links in hospital psychiatry. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 18(1), 61–72. doi:10.1016/S0010-440X(77),80008-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeFranc, W., & Mahalik, J. R. (2002). Masculine gender role conflict and stress in relation to parental attachment and separation. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 3(1), 51–60. doi:10.1037/1524-9220.3.1.51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Giudice, M. (2011). Sex differences in romantic attachment: A meta-analysis. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 37(2), 193–214. doi:10.1177/0146167210392789

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeMello, L. R. (1999). The effect of the presence of a companion-animal on physiological changes following the termination of cognitive stressors. Psychology & Health, 14(5), 859–868. doi:10.1080/08870449908407352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudukovic, N. M., Marsh, E. J., & Tversky, B. (2004). Telling a story or telling it straight: The effects of entertaining versus accurate retellings on memory. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 18(2), 125–143. doi: 10.1002/acp.953

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, A. R. (2007). Parental relationship quality and masculine gender-role strain in young men mediating effects of personality. The Counseling Psychologist, 35(2), 328–358. doi:10.1177/0011000005283394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, A. R., & Good, G. E. (1998). Perceptions of parent–child relationships and masculine role conflicts of college men. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45(3), 346–352. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.45.3.346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fonagy, P. (2001). Attachment theory and psychoanalysis. New York, NY: Other Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedmann, E., Katcher, A. H., Lynch, J. J., & Thomas, S. A. (1980). Animal companions and one-year survival of patients after discharge from a coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95(4), 307–312. PMCID: PMC1422527.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentzler, A., & Kerns, K. (2006). Adult attachment and memory of emotional reactions to negative and positive events. Cognition and Emotion, 20(1), 20–42. doi:10.1080/02699930500200407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, James J. (1999). The emerging field of emotion regulation: An integrative review. Review of General Psychology, New directions in research on emotion, 2(3), 271–299. doi: 10.1037/1089-2680.2.3.271

    Google Scholar 

  • Guitard, P., Ferland, F., & Dutil, É. (2005). Toward a better understanding of playfulness in adults. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 25(1), 9–22. doi:10.1177/153944920502500103

    Google Scholar 

  • Handlin, L., Hydbring-Sandberg, E., Nilsson, A., Ejdebäck, M., Jansson, A., & Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2011). Short-term interaction between dogs and their owners: Effects on oxytocin, cortisol, insulin and heart rate—An exploratory study. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals, 24(3), 301–315. doi:10.2752/175303711X13045914865385

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. R. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511–524. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.52.3.511

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • He, J., Li, N., & Li, T. (2011). Adult attachment and incidental memory for emotional words. Interpersonal: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 5(Suppl. 1), 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henricks, T. (2008). The nature of play: An overview. American Journal of Play, 1(2), 157–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hines, L. M. (2003). Historical perspectives on the human-animal bond. American Behavioral Scientist, 47(1), 7–15. doi:10.1177/0002764203255206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz, A. C., & Bekoff, M. (2007). Naturalizing anthropomorphism: Behavioral prompts to our humanizing of animals. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals, 20(1), 23–35. doi:10.2752/089279307780216650

    Google Scholar 

  • Humane Society of the United States. (2013, September 27). Pets by the numbers. Retrieved from http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html

  • Johnson, T. P., Garrity, T. F., & Stallones, L. (1992). Psychometric evaluation of the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS). Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals, 5(3), 160–175. doi:10.2752/089279392787011395

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, A. C., & Josephs, R. A. (2006). Interspecies hormonal interactions between man and the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), 50(3), 393–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, S., & Edwards, V. (2008). In the company of wolves. The physical, social, and psychological benefits of dog ownership. Journal of Aging and Health, 20(4), 437–455. doi:10.1177/0898264308315875

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kobak, R. (2009). Defining and measuring of attachment bonds: Comment on Kurdek. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(4), 447–449. doi:10.1037/a0015213

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohut, H. (1984). How does analysis cure?. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kurdek, L. A. (2008). Pet dogs as attachment figures. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(2), 247–266. doi:10.1177/0265407507087958

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kurdek, L. A. (2009). Pet dogs as attachment figures for adult owners. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(4), 439–446. doi:10.1037/a0014979

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lancy, D. F., & Grove, M. A. (2011). Marbles and Machiavelli: The role of game play in children’s social development. American Journal of Play, 3(4), 489–499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Land, L. N., Rochlen, A. B., & Vaugh, B. K. (2011). Correlates of adult attachment avoidance: Men’s avoidance of intimacy in romantic relationships. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 12, 64–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, B. M. (1978). Pets and personality development. Psychological Reports, 42(3c), 1031–1038. doi:10.2466/pr0.1978.42.3c.1031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, M. (1987). A taxonomy of playfulness for use in occupational therapy. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 34(4), 152–156. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.1987.tb01589.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Main, M. (2000). The organized categories of infant, child, and adult attachment: Flexible vs. inflexible attention under attachment-related stress. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 48(4), 1055–1096. doi:10.1177/00030651000480041801

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Main, M., & Solomon, J. (1986). Discovery of an insecure-disorganized/disoriented attachment pattern. In T. B. Brazelton & M. W. Yogman (Eds.), Affective development in infancy (pp. 95–124). Westport, CT: Ablex Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margolies, L. (1999). The long goodbye: Women, companion animals, and maternal loss. Clinical Social Work Journal, 27(3), 289–304. doi:10.1023/A:1022894320225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melson, G. F. (2002). Psychology and the study of human-animal relationships. Society and Animals, 10(4), 347–352. doi:10.1163/156853002320936791

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Messner, M. (1995). Power at play: Sports and the problem of masculinity. Boston: Beacon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2001). Attachment theory and intergroup bias: Evidence that priming the secure base schema attenuates negative reactions to out-groups. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(1), 97–115. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.81.1.97

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2003). The attachment behavioral system in adulthood: Activation, psychodynamics, and interpersonal processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 35, 53–152. doi:10.1016/S0065-2601(03)01002-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, S. C., Kennedy, C., DeVoe, D., Hickey, M., Nelson, T., & Kogan, L. (2009). An examination of changes in oxytocin levels in men and women before and after interaction with a bonded dog. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals, 22(1), 31–42. doi:10.2752/175303708X390455

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, R. W., & Thompson, N. S. (1990). The effects of familiarity on dog-human play. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals, 4(1), 24–43. doi:10.2752/089279391787057314

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, M. L. (2007). Health benefits of animal-assisted interventions. Complementary Health Practice Review, 12(1), 51–62. doi:10.1177/1533210107302397

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, C. A., Schmitt, K., Barber, A. L. A., & Huber, L. (2015). Dogs can discriminate emotional expressions of human faces. Current Biology, 25, 5, 2, 601–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagengast, S. L., Baun, M. M., Megel, M., & Leibowitz, M. J. (1997). The effects of the presence of a companion animal on physiological arousal and behavioral distress in children during a physical examination. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 12(6), 323–330. doi:10.1016/S0882-5963(97)80058-9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neil, J. M. (1982). Gender-role conflict and strain in men’s lives. In K. Solomon & N. B. Levy (Eds.), Men in transition: Theory and therapy (pp. 5–44). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Odendaal, J. S. J., & Lehmann, S. M. C. (2000). The role of phenylethylamine during positive human-dog interaction. Acta Veterinaria Brno, 69(3), 183–188. doi:10.2754/avb200069030183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odendaal, J. S., & Meintjes, R. A. (2003). Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. The Veterinary Journal, 165(3), 296–301. doi:10.1016/S1090-0233(02)00237-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neil, J. M. (2008). Summarizing 25 years of research on men’s gender role conflict using the gender role conflict scale new research paradigms and clinical implications. The Counseling Psychologist, 36(3), 358–445. doi:10.1177/001100000831705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neil, J. M., Helms, B. J., Gable, R. K., David, L., & Wrightsman, L. S. (1986). Gender-role conflict scale: College men’s fear of femininity. Sex Roles, 14(5–6), 335–350. doi:10.1007/BF00287583

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasupathi, M. (2003). Emotion regulation during social remembering: Differences between emotions elicited during an event and emotions elicited when talking about it. Memory, 11(2), 151–163. doi:10.1080/741938212

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piaget, J. (1972). Intellectual evolution from adolescence to adulthood. Human Development, 15(1), 1–12. doi:10.1159/000271225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pietromonaco, P. R., & Barrett, L. F. (1997). Working models of attachment and daily social interactions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(6), 1409–1423. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.73.6.1409

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pollack, W. (1999). Real boys: Rescuing our sons from the myths of boyhood. New York, NY: Holt, Henry & Company Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proyer, R. T. (2012). Examining playfulness in adults: Testing its correlates with personality, positive psychological functioning, goal aspirations, and multi-methodically assessed ingenuity. Psychological Test and Assessment Modeling, 54(2), 103–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, B. (2005). Pets and psychoanalysis: A clinical contribution. Psychoanalytic Review, 92, 453–457.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, A., & Carnelley, K. B. (2003). Attachment style differences in the processing of attachment–relevant information: Primed–style effects on recall, interpersonal expectations, and affect. Personal Relationships, 10(1), 59–75. doi: 10.1111/1475-6811.00036

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadler, W. (1966). Play: A basic human structure involving love and freedom. Review of Existential Psychology and Psychiatry, 6(Fall), 237–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samuelsson, I. P., & Carlsson, M. A. (2008). The playing learning child: Towards a pedagogy of early childhood. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 52(6), 623–641. doi:10.1080/00313830802497265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, C. (1999). Understanding dogs: Living and working with canine companions. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, C. R. (2003). Actions speak louder than words: Close relationships between humans and nonhuman animals. Symbolic Interaction, 26(3), 405–426. doi:10.1525/si.2003.26.3.405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, I., Sayer, M., & Goodale, A. (1999). The relationship between playfulness and coping in preschool children: A pilot study. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53(2), 221–226. doi:10.5014/ajot.53.2.221

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, J. P., Waldo, M., & Higgins, A. J. (2004). Attachment styles: Relationship to masculine gender role conflict in college men. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 5, 143–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serpell, J. (1991). Beneficial effects of pet ownership on some aspects of human health and behaviour. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 84(12), 717–720. doi:10.1177/014107689108401209

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Serpell, J. A. (2010). Animal-assisted interventions in historical perspective. In A. H. Fine (Ed.), Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice (3rd ed., pp. 17–32). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sharkin, B. S., & Bahrick, A. S. (1990). Pet loss: Implications for counselors. Journal of Counseling & Development, 68(3), 306–308. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.1990.tb01378.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharkin, B. S., & Knox, D. (2003). Pet loss: Issues and implications for the psychologist. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 34(4), 414. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.34.4.414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2002). Attachment-related psychodynamics. Attachment & Human Development, 4(2), 133–161. doi:10.1080/14616730210154171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiverdecker, M. D., Schiml, P. A., & Hennessy, M. B. (2013). Human interaction moderates plasma cortisol and behavioral responses of dogs to shelter housing. Physiology & Behavior, 109, 75–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, J. M. (1990). Stressful life events and use of physician services among the elderly: The moderating role of pet ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(6), 1081–1086. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.58.6.1081

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, J. M. (1993). Companion animals: In sickness and in health. Journal of Social Issues, 49(1), 157–167. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1993.tb00915.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern, D. (2000). The interpersonal world of the infant: A view from psychoanalysis and developmental psychology. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutton-Smith, B. (2008). Play theory: A personal journey and new thoughts. American Journal of Play, 1(1), 82–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Téglás, E., Gergely, A., Kupán, K., Miklósi, A., & Topál, J. (2012). Dogs’ gaze following is tuned to human communicative signals. Current Biology, (22)3, 209–212. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2011.12.018

    Google Scholar 

  • Voith, V. L. (1985). Attachment of people to companion animals. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice, 15(2), 289–295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). The role of play in development. Mind in society, 92–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, F. (2009). Human-animal bonds I: The relational significance of companion animals. Family Process, 48(4), 462–480. doi:10.1111/j.1545-5300.2009.01296.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, D. L. (2009). The effects of animals on human health and well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 65(3), 523–543. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2009.01612.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wester, S. R., Vogel, D. L., O’Neil, J. M., & Danforth, L. (2012). Development and evaluation of the gender role conflict scale short form (GRCS-SF). Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 13(2), 199–210. doi:10.1037/a0025550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wexler, D. B. (2009). Men in therapy: New approaches for effective treatment. New York, NY: WW Norton & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winnicott, D. (1971). Playing and reality. New York: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, L., Giles-Corti, B., & Bulsara, M. (2005). The pet connection: Pets as a conduit for social capital? Social Science and Medicine, 61(6), 1159–1173. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.01.017

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hampton VAMC, 315 Blair Avenue, Newport News, VA, 23607, USA

    Mary Harlinger

  2. College of Education, Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, MSC 3CEP, New Mexico State University, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA

    Chris Blazina

Authors
  1. Mary Harlinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chris Blazina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Harlinger .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

    Christopher Blazina

  2. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

    Lori R. Kogan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Harlinger, M., Blazina, C. (2016). Exploring the Role of Playfulness with Canine Companions in Coping with Stress: How Men Are Impacted by Human–Animal Interaction Through Calling on a Memory of Play. In: Blazina, C., Kogan, L. (eds) Men and Their Dogs. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30097-9_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation