Sources of work stress in veterinary practice in the UK

The veterinary profession recognises the importance of addressing work-related stress for veterinary surgeons’ wellbeing. Identifying aspects of veterinarians’ work that are sources of stress is a key step in implementing appropriate stress management interventions for the profession. However, little systematic research on the causes of stress in veterinary work has been carried out. A qualitative interview study was conducted with 18 veterinarians practising in the UK to explore aspects of their work that are stressful. Thematic analysis revealed principal stressors to be poor work-life balance, interaction with animal owners, specific aspects of euthanasia, dealing with poor animal welfare and staff management responsibilities. Injury risk, supervision arrangements for newly qualified veterinarians and lack of control over work were stressors for some. The practical implications of the findings for stress management in veterinary work are considered. Comments by several participants indicated a strong achievement focus and possible perfectionism. It is proposed that veterinarians with perfectionist traits might experience greater psychological distress in the face of some specific stressors in veterinary practice, and further investigation of possible interactive effects of work stressors and perfectionism on veterinarians’ wellbeing is merited.

Download Full-text

Are organizations committed to stress management interventions?

Employee Relations ◽

10.1108/er-08-2019-0314 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (6) ◽

pp. 1309-1325

Author(s):

Dorota Molek-Winiarska ◽

Katarzyna Molek-Kozakowska

Keyword(s):

Stress Management ◽

Content Type ◽

Individual Level ◽

Know How ◽

Work Related ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Organizational Perspective ◽

Before And After ◽

Related Stress ◽

Psychosocial Costs

PurposeWork-related stress causes individual, societal and economic costs. Stress management interventions (SMIs) are implemented to decrease those costs, reduce the psychosocial harms and increase workers' productivity. This article reports on a study of a substantial sample of enterprises to verify what types of SMIs they implemented and how they assessed the results of these interventions.Design/methodology/approachSpecially designed surveys were collected in 2015–2017 from 408 organizations of different sizes and sectors in Poland, including multinationals. The reliability of the questionnaire was satisfactory (Cr. 0.84).FindingsResults show that 59% of enterprises are aware of SMIs but only about 30% implemented one within the last three years. The implementations usually covered both organizational and individual-level interventions. The assessment of SMI effectiveness was conducted in just about one-third of the organizations and was based on estimations of the levels and sources of stress. Hardly any companies compared economic and psychosocial costs of stress before and after SMIs.Research limitations/implicationsThe most important recommendation from this study is to increase the awareness of causes of stress among managing directors. Also, organizations and HR staff need more assistance from specialists who know how to measure and help reduce work stress.Originality/valueThe literature on stress interventions at work usually focusses on their psychological effects. This paper explores the organizational perspective and the commitment to implement the interventions in companies.

Download Full-text

Stressor Exposure and Methods of Coping among Senior Police Managers at a Time of Organisational and Management Change

International Journal of Police Science & Management ◽

10.1177/146135570000200303 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 217-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jennifer Brown ◽

Cary Cooper ◽

Bruce Kirkcaldy

Keyword(s):

Stress Management ◽

Empirical Investigation ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Police Management ◽

Police Chief ◽

Management Change ◽

Work Related ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Related Stress ◽

And Coping

This paper discusses the context within which British police chief superintendents and superintendents (n = 533) were working as a background to measuring their sources of work-related stress and coping adaptations. Some comparative analyses are presented examining the internationalism of changes in police management and organisation. The results of the empirical investigation into the sources of stress and coping strategies of British police managers are then presented. Superintendents report having too much work to do with too few resources among the most significant stressors. They cope through use of secondary stress management interventions which are task orientated rather than emotion focused. The paper concludes by relating findings to organisational changes occurring within policing elsewhere and makes some recommendations to alleviate stress among police managers.

Download Full-text

Stress Management Interventions in Polish Companies – Research Results

Kwartalnik Ekonomistów i Menedżerów ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0009.6301 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 0-0

Author(s):

Dorota Molek-Winiarska

Keyword(s):

Stress Management ◽

Comparative Research ◽

Work Related Stress ◽

Research Results ◽

Work Related ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Related Stress ◽

And Training

Numerous studies on work-related stress and stress management interventions have led to the formulation of some rules and theories. Nevertheless, the methodology of this kind is still imperfect. There is a tremendous need to do comparative research on different kinds of interventions. This article attempts to answer the following questions: Are entrepreneurs familiar with the idea of the stress management interventions? Have their implementations been introduced after taking into consideration the causes, costs and results of stress? Are the interventions effective or not? The results show that 45% of the employers know the idea of stress management interventions (SMI) and about 17% implement them. The most popular intervention is training supervisors in stress management and training employees to cope with stress. The results show also a relatively low quality of interventions of SMIs.

Download Full-text

Psychosocial impact on frontline health and social care professionals in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047353 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e047353

Author(s):

Henry Aughterson ◽

Alison R McKinlay ◽

Daisy Fancourt ◽

Alexandra Burton

Keyword(s):

Personal Growth ◽

Social Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Work Conditions ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Work Related ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

Health And Social Care ◽

Communication Challenges ◽

The Uk

ObjectivesTo explore the psychosocial well-being of health and social care professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignThis was a qualitative study deploying in-depth, individual interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used for coding.ParticipantsThis study involved 25 participants from a range of frontline professions in health and social care.SettingInterviews were conducted over the phone or video call, depending on participant preference.ResultsFrom the analysis, we identified 5 overarching themes: communication challenges, work-related stressors, support structures, personal growth and individual resilience. The participants expressed difficulties such as communication challenges and changing work conditions, but also positive factors such as increased team unity at work, and a greater reflection on what matters in life.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence on the support needs of health and social care professionals amid continued and future disruptions caused by the pandemic. It also elucidates some of the successful strategies (such as mindfulness, hobbies, restricting news intake, virtual socialising activities) deployed by health and social care professionals that can support their resilience and well-being and be used to guide future interventions.

Download Full-text

Experiences of returning to work and maintaining work 7 to 8 years after a stroke: a qualitative interview study in Sweden

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-021182 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. e021182 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Annie Palstam ◽

Marie Törnbom ◽

Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen

Keyword(s):

University Hospital ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Work Situation ◽

Individual Interviews ◽

Work Related ◽

Analysis Process ◽

Qualitative Interview Study ◽

Mixed Feelings ◽

Returning To Work ◽

Related Stress

ObjectiveTo explore how persons experienced return to work (RTW) and their work situation 7 to 8 years after a stroke.DesignAn explorative qualitative design with individual interviews. The data analysis was inductive thematic and three researchers collaborated during the analysis process.ParticipantsThe study population included five women and eight men who had a stroke during 2009–2010, received care at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden and RTW after stroke and it was a heterogenic sample based on age, occupation, stroke severity and time to RTW.ResultsThe analysis led to four themes;motivated and RTW while struggling with impairments,mixed feelings in the RTW process, still at work though restrictedandsocial support for a sustainable work situation.The themes revealed that participants were motivated to RTW while struggling with impairments. The RTW process evoked mixed feelings of worry and grief over lost functions but also acceptance and gratitude for being able to work. Although maintaining work 7 to 8 years after experiencing a stroke, most were restricted in some way. Fatigue and cognitive impairments meant having to set limits, omit work tasks and rest at work, but also rest during free time and refraining from social activities in order to manage work. Participants avoided work-related stress if they could because of aggravated symptoms and/or fear of a new stroke. Support from supervisors and colleagues was often crucial for a sustainable work situation.ConclusionMaintaining work can be a continuous struggle with invisible impairments many years after a stroke. Strategies for managing work are dependent on each individual work situation, where support and understanding at work seem to be crucial for a sustainable work situation.

Download Full-text