774
Views
5
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Findings Abstract

Heterogeneity in beliefs about feeding stray animals: the complexity of human–animal interaction

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon & ORCID Icon
 

ABSTRACT

People’s beliefs about feeding stray cats require investigation. Previous studies were based on assumptions about sample homogeneity, potentially obscuring within-group and background differences in beliefs. A latent class analysis was conducted on critical beliefs identified from 167 Malaysian nationals (Kuala Lumpur residents, aged 18-64), based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Two distinct subgroups were discerned, revealing heterogeneity in critical beliefs about feeding stray cats. Subgroup membership was associated with multiple background factors (i.e., ethnicity, past feeding experience, pet cat ownership, and religion). Therefore, interventions to reduce the feeding of stray cats (or to change other behaviors) should accommodate subgroup variations in beliefs and background factors. This study provides a novel methodology for investigating the complexity of human variables in human-animal interaction and other behaviors.

Notes

1. Further detail is provided in supplemental material available at http://www.webster.ac.th/academics/research/2019_heterogeneities.html.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.