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A cross-sectional study of mental health and well-being and their associations in the UK veterinary profession

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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Veterinary surgeons are at elevated risk of suicide, with a proportional mortality ratio around four times that of the general population and approximately twice that of other healthcare professions. There has been much speculation regarding possible mechanisms underlying increased suicide risk in the profession but little empirical research. We aimed to assess the contribution of mental health and well-being to the elevated risk, through a postal questionnaire survey of a large stratified random sample of veterinary surgeons practising within the UK.

Methods

A questionnaire was mailed twice to 3,200 veterinary surgeons. Anxiety and depressive symptoms, alcohol consumption, suicidal ideation, positive mental well-being, perceptions of psychosocial work characteristics, and work–home interaction were assessed using valid and reliable existing instruments and a series of bespoke questions previously developed through informal focus groups.

Results

Evaluable questionnaires were returned by 1,796 participants, a response rate of 56.1%. The demographic and occupational profile of respondents was representative of the UK veterinary profession. The prevalence of ‘caseness’ (i.e. HADS subscale score ≥8) for anxiety, depression, and co-morbid anxiety and depression was 26.3, 5.8 and 4.5%. 5.4% of respondents were non-drinkers, 32.0% low-risk drinkers, and 62.6% ‘at-risk’ drinkers (i.e. AUDIT-C score ≥4 for women, ≥5 for men). The 12-month prevalence of suicidal thoughts was 21.3%.

Conclusions

Compared to the general population, the sample reported high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms; higher 12-month prevalence of suicidal thoughts; less favourable psychosocial work characteristics, especially in regard to demands and managerial support; lower levels of positive mental well-being; and higher levels of negative work–home interaction. The levels of psychological distress reported suggest ready access to and knowledge of lethal means is probably not operating in isolation to increase suicide risk within the profession.

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Acknowledgments

The study was funded by Veterinary Times and BUPA Giving. We thank the veterinary surgeons throughout the UK who participated in the survey. Catherine Carr provided administrative support. Julia Sinclair kindly reviewed and commented on a late draft of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, RSH Hospital, University of Southampton, Brintons Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YG, UK

    David J. Bartram & David S. Baldwin

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Ghasem Yadegarfar

Authors
  1. David J. Bartram
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  2. Ghasem Yadegarfar
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  3. David S. Baldwin
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Correspondence to David J. Bartram.

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Bartram, D.J., Yadegarfar, G. & Baldwin, D.S. A cross-sectional study of mental health and well-being and their associations in the UK veterinary profession. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 44, 1075–1085 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0030-8

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