Trial Outcomes & Findings for Development and Evaluation CAT and Youth (NCT NCT05950672)

Missing data are answers that children chose to leave blank.

Cats in the intervention group participated in a structured three-phase assessment: two minutes in the testing room with their child owner, two minutes alone, and then a reunion phase when the child returns. All sessions were video recorded. Two independent raters classified each cat's attachment style using a predefined behavioral ethogram, with primary emphasis on the cat's response during the reunion. Possible attachment classifications include Secure, Insecure-Ambivalent, Insecure-Avoidant, Insecure-Disorganized. Data presented describe within-cat change in attachment classification from T1 to T3, specifically the shift from insecure (inclusive of ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized) to secure attachment.

The Cat Care Responsibility Inventory "Walk" variable reflected responses to the item, "Usually walks cat." Children indicated the household member for whom this statement was most true (e.g., self, mother, father, sibling, or other). For analysis, responses were coded as a binary variable such that s child either participated in walking the cat (alone or with others in the household) or did not. These binary outcomes were then compared across time points and participant groups.

Participants completed a 7-item Emotional Support survey from the NIH Toolbox (NIH Toolbox Item Bank v2.0), validated for children ages 8-17. The survey uses a five-point Likert scale (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Usually, Always) to assess children's experiences of emotional support during the past month. Items ask about perceived access to supportive relationships over the preceding month. Sample question: "I have someone who will listen to me when I need to talk." Scoring Process: Each survey is scored using Item Response Theory (IRT). An IRT-derived theta score is generated for each participant, as is an Uncorrected Standard Score (T-score). Interpretation: For the NIH Toolbox Emotional Support Survey, higher scores are indicative of more emotional support. Scores 1 SD or more below the mean (T ≤ 40) suggest low levels of support, and scores 1 SD or more above the mean (T ≥ 60) suggest high levels of support. T-scores ≤ 40 may warrant heightened surveillance or concern.