A study on the pathways through which pet ownership influences fertility intentions.

Against the backdrop of China's low fertility rate, examining the impact of pet ownership on fertility intentions and its underlying mechanisms holds significant importance for enriching research on factors influencing fertility decisions and for understanding the complex relationship between modern lifestyles and reproductive choices. This study, grounded in self-determination theory, collected 551 valid samples through questionnaire surveys and employed structural equation modeling for analysis. Findings reveal that pet ownership not only positively associated with fertility intentions but also indirectly affects them through mediating variables such as fertility motivation, intrinsic needs, and emotional value. Pet ownership appears to individuals' positive expectations toward parenthood by providing opportunities for daily care, emotional companionship, and responsibility-taking; simultaneously, the nurturing experience and emotional bonds cultivated through pet ownership activate individuals' intrinsic motivation toward the role of "parenthood." This may fulfill fundamental psychological needs such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness, thereby strengthening reproductive motivation. The positive emotional experiences and heightened confidence in family life derived from pet ownership may significantly reduce sensitivity to reproductive pressures, indirectly supporting the willingness to have children. This study provides theoretical support and empirical evidence for understanding the relationship between pet ownership and fertility intentions, as well as for formulating relevant policies.