| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-06-27T08:00:01Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2023-06-27T08:00:01Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10852/102549 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Veterinarians have elevated suicide rates. There is scarce knowledge about variables associated with suicidal thoughts in veterinarians. The NORVET study is the first to investigate suicidal thoughts and help-seeking for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway. A nationwide survey was distributed to licensed veterinarians. 75 % responded.
The 12-month prevalence of suicidal feelings, suicidal thoughts and serious suicidal thoughts were 27 %, 20 % and 5 %, respectively. This is higher than reported in similar surveys conducted among physicians and police. 30 % reported mental health problems in need of treatment. The veterinarians themselves most commonly reported work problems as contributing to both serious suicidal thoughts and mental health problems.
A novel finding in our study was an association between animal euthanasia and serious suicidal thoughts. Even though animal euthanasia has been suggested as a veterinary-specific risk factor for suicide, work variables alone does not explain such a complex phenomenon as suicidal thoughts among veterinarians.
We also investigated attitudes to assisted dying in humans. Overall, veterinarians’ attitudes to assisted dying in humans were comparable to those of the general population. Veterinarians working in companion animal practice had higher odds of positive attitudes to euthanasia in humans compared to veterinarians working in mixed clinical practice. This may suggest that animal euthanasia could affect veterinarians’ attitudes to death.
Only half of veterinarians with mental health problems had sought help. Among those with serious suicidal thoughts, half had sought help. The only independent variable associated with less help-seeking behaviour was working in production animal practice. | en_US |
| dc.relation.haspart | Paper I: Dalum HS, Tyssen R, Hem E. Prevalence and individual and work-related factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours among veterinarians in Norway: a cross-sectional, nationwide survey-based study (the NORVET study). BMJ Open. 2022 Jan 3;12(1):e055827. The paper is included in the thesis in DUO, and also available at: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055827 | |
| dc.relation.haspart | Paper II: Dalum, HS, Tyssen R, Moum T, Thoresen M, Hem E. Euthanasia of animals - Impact on veterinarians’ suicidal thoughts and views on assisted dying in humans: A nationwide study (the NORVET study). Published as: Euthanasia of animals – association with veterinarians’ suicidal thoughts and attitudes towards assisted dying in humans: a nationwide cross-sectional survey (the NORVET study). BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Jan 02;24:2. An author version is included in the thesis. The published version is available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05402-7 | |
| dc.relation.haspart | Paper III: Dalum HS, Tyssen R, Moum T, Thoresen M, Hem E. Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study). BMC Public Health. 2022 Jul 7;22(1):1308. The paper is included in the thesis in DUO, and also available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13710-y | |
| dc.relation.uri | https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055827 | |
| dc.relation.uri | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05402-7 | |
| dc.relation.uri | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13710-y | |
| dc.title | Suicidal thoughts, animal euthanasia, and help-seeking among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide and cross-sectional survey (The NORVET study) | en_US |
| dc.type | Doctoral thesis | en_US |
| dc.creator.author | Dalum, Helene Seljenes | |
| dc.type.document | Doktoravhandling | en_US |