Pet care as a meaningful occupation in the development of volition, autonomy, and responsibility in primary school children

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the relationship between pet care and the promotion of autonomy, responsibility, and volition in primary school children. Materials and methods: A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 46 students from first to sixth grade at Escuela Primaria Benito Juárez, in the State of Mexico. For data collection, the Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire was administered through a digital record completed by parents or legal guardians. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques. Results: Fifty-two percent of children showed constant curiosity about their pets; 41% initiated activities without being prompted; and 59% demonstrated clear preferences in their care. Overall, a high voluntary disposition toward animal care was observed, associated with elevated levels of autonomy and responsibility, with significant differences according to age and sex. Conclusions: Pet care was identified as a meaningful occupation that contributes to the development of functional and motivational skills in childhood. Consequently, its incorporation into educational and therapeutic interventions is proposed as a strategy to foster personal and social competencies in children.