Characteristics Associated with Negative Attitudes Toward Mental Illness Among US Veterinarians

Details

• Personal Author:
  Carter KK ; Kassem AM ; Nett, Randall J. ; Witte TK
• Description:
  OBJECTIVE: To explore associations between demographic, occupational, and mental health characteristics and negative attitudes toward mental illness among veterinarians. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SAMPLE: 9,522 veterinarians employed in the United States. PROCEDURES: Data from a previously conducted voluntary, anonymous, web-based survey were used. Negative attitude was defined as slight or strong disagreement with 2 statements: "Treatment can help people with mental illness lead normal lives" (treatment effectiveness) and "People are generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness" (social support). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with negative attitudes. RESULTS: Of the 9,522 respondents, 6,585 (69.2%) were female, 4,523 (47.5%) were 40 to 59 years old, 291 (3.1%) had a negative attitude toward treatment effectiveness, and 4,504 (47.3%) had a negative attitude toward social support. After adjusting for other variables, negative attitude toward treatment effectiveness was significantly more likely in males, those with 10 to 19 (vs 1 to 9) years of practice experience, solo practitioners, those in government (vs "other") practice, those with evidence of serious psychological distress, and those reporting suicidal ideation after veterinary school and significantly less likely in those receiving mental health treatment. A negative attitude toward social support was significantly less likely in males and significantly more likely in 40 to 59 (vs 20 to 39) year olds, childless respondents, solo practitioners, those without membership in a veterinary association, those with evidence of serious psychological distress, those reporting depression during or after veterinary school, and those reporting suicidal ideation after veterinary school. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Characteristics such as age, sex, practice setting, and mental illness history might be useful to consider when targeting interventions to support and educate veterinarians about mental illness. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Demography Education Health Personnel Men Mental Disorders Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Suicide Surveys And Questionnaires Veterinarians Women

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• Keywords:
  Age Groups Attitude Cross Sectional Studies Demographic Characteristics Health Surveys Humans Mental Disorders Mental Health Mental Illness Occupational Health Psychological Factors Psychological Stress Regression Analysis Sociological Factors Statistical Analysis Treatment

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• ISSN:
  0003-1488
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Alabama ; Georgia ; Idaho ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  254
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055324
• Citation:
  J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019 Apr; 254(8):979-985
• Contact Point Address:
  Ahmed M. Kassem, Global Immunization Division, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
• Email:
  akassem@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6d76d0f3b5c50c9783f81847ce16a691213f8496438b8db0827777b0afb6f268446dc0662114423085ab07bba6fbc16c95f8d7fa4a288853dcdf0cdbb22a3e27
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217657/cdc_217657_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 248.68 KB ]