MENTAL HEALTH OF ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS?

James Swan in his book "In Defense of Hunting" examines the motivations of AR supporters (who BTW tend to be predominantly white, urban, and female). 

He states: "It is possible that some animal rights activists have taken up their cause because they are emotionally immature and are acting out repressed rage and hatred from emotional wounds from parental abuse or from failed love affairs, seeing the plight of "defenseless animals" as symbolically similar to how they may feel they have been personally treated by a dominating human..." [p. 188] 

And:

"Vegetarianism can be an act of spiritual devotion and greater health, and it can also be an early symptom of guilt-driven suicide." [p.188] 

And:

"It is not necessarily an intense love of animals that prompts individuals to participate in the animal rights movement. Peter Singer, whose book "Animal Liberation" is seen as the jumping-off place for the modern animal rights campaign, openly states that he is not inordinately fond of animals. Wayne Pacelle [national director Fund for Animals] says he feels the same way..." [p 116] 

And: 

"A 1990 Gallup Poll of one thousand Americans asked the question:  "Certain animal rights groups want a total ban on all types of hunting. Do you support or oppose this goal?"  Of the respondents, 77 percent opposed this goal. The poll found that 72 percent did have at least some respect for the positions which animal rights activists take, but 90 percent opposed hunter harassment. And when asked about their overall attitudes toward animal rights activists, only 7 percent agreed with what the animal rights groups are trying to accomplish and approve of how they are going about it." [p.163] -- James A. Swan. 1995. "In Defense of Hunting". HarperCollins, New York. ISBN 0-06-251237-4