A study said there are several people who are not struggling from any illness but can benefit from the emotional support which is provided by pets.

According to the study which is published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers has found an evidence to dispel the notion that the relationship of people with their pet is due to the cost of their ties with other people.

In a statement Allen McConnell a study co-author from Miami University said that they had found evidence showing, pet owners had fared better in all aspects like well being and individual difference compared to those non-owners.

As per researchers pet owners had greater self esteem, felt less lonely, are more physically fit and conscientious, they are also less fearful in comparison to non-owners. The researchers examined a group of 217 people including both pet owners and non-owners. In this group 79% were female having an average age of 31 and holding household income of $77000 per year.

“The present work presents considerable evidence that pets benefit the lives of their owners, both psychologically and physically, by serving as an important source of social support”, the study says, noting that previous research had “focused primarily on pet owners facing significant health challenges”.