Vínculos y la calidad de vida que se generan con animales de compañía en las familias de la Parroquia Arcapamba del Cantón Zaruma

Abstract

This study focuses on describing how companion animals’ impact emotional bonds within families in the Arcapamba parish of Zaruma canton. First, it defines what constitutes a family and explains the importance of companion animals in strengthening these emotional bonds, where animals are not only seen as companions, but as promoters of emotional well-being, contributing to cohesion and strengthening interpersonal relationships within the household. The main objective of the research is to analyze the benefits and positive bonds that companion animals generate in the quality of life of these families. The type of research is qualitative, with a phenomenological approach, the scope is descriptive-exploratory and the research design is non-experimental. We worked with 15 families of the Arcapamba parish that have pets. The techniques applied included semi-structured interviews and direct observation. The results highlight that companion animals not only strengthen emotional bonds, but also reduce stress, improve mood, and foster values such as empathy and responsibility, especially in children. In conclusion, these bonds act as mediators in family dynamics, contributing to better communication and conflict resolution, which ultimately improves the quality of life of all members.