Abstract

Mental health and career dissatisfaction are of increasing concern to the veterinary profession. The influence of identity on the psychological wellbeing of veterinarians has not been widely explored. Twelve recent...

Highlights

  • IntroductionConcerns surrounding mental health in the veterinary profession are widely reported (Cardwell and others 2013; Gyles 2014; Nett and others 2015; Rhind & Grant 2017) and there have been welcome recent advances in interventions to provide support, such as the RCVS “Mind Matters” initiative (www.vetmindmatters.org) and Vetlife (https://www.vetlife.org.uk/)

  • Concerns surrounding mental health in the veterinary profession are widely reported (Cardwell and others 2013; Gyles 2014; Nett and others 2015; Rhind & Grant 2017) and there have been welcome recent advances in interventions to provide support, such as the RCVS “Mind Matters” initiative and Vetlife

  • New veterinary graduates appeared to demonstrate two different identity conceptualisations when writing about their experiences

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Summary

Introduction

Concerns surrounding mental health in the veterinary profession are widely reported (Cardwell and others 2013; Gyles 2014; Nett and others 2015; Rhind & Grant 2017) and there have been welcome recent advances in interventions to provide support, such as the RCVS “Mind Matters” initiative (www.vetmindmatters.org) and Vetlife (https://www.vetlife.org.uk/). Self-identity, the understanding and satisfaction with self, and the alignment of one’s actions with self-identity values are recognised as having significant influence on health and mental wellbeing (Taylor 1992; Kroger & Marcia 2011; Thoits 2013; Mavor and others 2014; Wald 2015). Being unable to align values and behaviours results in a failure to act “true to self”, and evokes identity dissonance, a sense of unease and dissatisfaction with outcome, and the perception of a lack of control over one’s actions and decisions (Taylor 1992). It is increasingly recognised that stress coping strategies (such as maintaining social relationships, eating healthily and exercising) will fail to have a significant impact if the individual is unsatisfied with their identity behaviours (their actions are poorly aligned with their self-values and priorities), or they lack a sense of their self-identity (are unclear of their own values and priorities)

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