Euthanasia Distress and Fearlessness About Death in German Veterinarians

Abstract. Background: The elevated risk of suicide in veterinarians is still not well understood, but euthanasia distress and increased fearlessness about death (FAD) have been discussed as specific risk factors. Aims: We investigated German veterinarians to test whether FAD is increased compared with the general population, whether FAD is associated with euthanasia distress, and whether there are differences between different fields in veterinary medicine. Methods: German veterinarians were assessed via self-report instruments and compared with a representative general population sample. There was no difference in FAD. Lower euthanasia distress was significantly associated with higher FAD. Limitations: Although we were able to recruit a large sample of veterinarians, the generalizability is limited by the voluntary nature of participation and the related risk of bias. Results: There was no difference in FAD. Lower euthanasia distress was significantly associated with higher FAD. Conclusion: Although lower euthanasia distress as an indicator of habituation to euthanasia is associated with higher FAD, one cannot assume that increased FAD in veterinarians is a specific risk factor for suicidality in veterinarians.

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Genetic and Environmental Covariation Between Autistic Traits and Behavioral Problems

Twin Research and Human Genetics ◽

10.1375/twin.10.6.853 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 853-860 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Rosa A. Hoekstra ◽

Meike Bartels ◽

James J. Hudziak ◽

Toos C. E. M. Van Beijsterveldt ◽

Dorret I. Boomsma

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Social Problems ◽

Genetic Variance ◽

Population Sample ◽

Autistic Traits ◽

Self Report ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

General Population Sample ◽

Withdrawn Behavior

AbstractOur objective was to examine the overlap between autistic traits and other behavioral problems in a general population sample, and explore the extent to which this overlap is due to genetic or environmental factors. Youth Self Report (YSR) data were collected in a general population sample of 424 twin pairs at 18 years of age, and their nontwin siblings. In 197 of these twin families, self-report ratings on the Autism-spectrum Quotient (AQ) were collected. Stepwise backward regression analyses revealed that of all 8 YSR syndrome scales, the Withdrawn Behavior (WB) and Social Problems (SOC) scale were the most important predictors of AQ scores, and together with sex, explained 23% of the variance in AQ scores. Genetic structural equation modeling showed that the overlap between AQ and WB and SOC was mainly due to genetic effects. About half of the genetic variance in AQ scores was specific to the AQ, with the remaining half shared with genetic variance in WB and SOC. Endorsement of autistic traits in a general population sample is associated with social and withdrawn behavioral problems and these problems partly share a common genetic etiology with autistic traits. However, most of the variance in AQ scores remains unexplained by YSR scores, and half of the genetic variance in AQ is unshared with WB and SOC. These results indicate that autistic traits have specific characteristics that are substantially genetically independent from other common but related behavioral domains such as social problems and withdrawn behavior.

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Psychometric Properties of the Lifetime Assessment of Violent Acts

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-16-00067 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 998-1013 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alan R. King ◽

Tiffany D. Russell ◽

Matthew D. Bailly

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Population Sample ◽

Self Report ◽

General Population Sample ◽

College Sample ◽

The Past ◽

Situational Contexts ◽

Psychometric Data ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Violent Acts

The Lifetime Assessment of Violent Acts (LAVA) inventory provides estimates of the frequency, triggers, and consequences (including injuries to others) of historic acts of aggression. The LAVA also identifies the situational contexts in which prior violence was triggered and allows classifications based on past reactive, intimate partner, alcohol-related, and/or weapon-related violence. Normative and psychometric data were provided from a college (N = 1,133) and general population (N = 545) sample. Around 15% of the general population sample recalled inflicting 5 or more injuries on others at some time in the past. LAVA scores were significantly higher for women than men (d = .45), and respondents from the general population were more aggressive than those in the college sample (d = .41). The potential benefits, applications, and limitations of this retrospective self-report inventory are discussed.

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