Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study)
Abstract Background Veterinarians have a relatively high prevalence of mental health problems; however, research on professional help-seeking is limited. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems and professional help-seeking behaviour for such...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13710-y |
| _version_ | 1818158281894395904 |
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| author | Helene Seljenes Dalum Reidar Tyssen Torbjørn Moum Magne Thoresen Erlend Hem |
| author_facet | Helene Seljenes Dalum Reidar Tyssen Torbjørn Moum Magne Thoresen Erlend Hem |
| author_sort | Helene Seljenes Dalum |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Veterinarians have a relatively high prevalence of mental health problems; however, research on professional help-seeking is limited. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems and professional help-seeking behaviour for such problems, and the independent factors associated with help-seeking behaviour among veterinarians in Norway. Method This cross-sectional study included all veterinarians in Norway (response rate 75%, 70% women). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for professional help-seeking for mental health problems. Analyses were controlled for socio-demographic, individual (personality trait reality weakness, SCL-5, attitudes toward mental illness), and work-related factors (work field, job stress). Results The prevalence of self-reported mental health problems in need of treatment was 30% (746/2494), significantly higher among women than men (36% vs. 15%). Fifty-four percent had sought professional help, women significantly more often (56%) than men (41%). Among veterinarians with serious suicidal thoughts, 50% (69/139) had sought help. Veterinarians most frequently related mental health problems to work problems (47%), women significantly more often (49%) than men (34%). Factors significantly associated with help-seeking were being female, OR = 2.11 (95% CI: 1.24–3.60), working with production animals, OR = 0.35 (0.13–0.98), public administration, OR = 2.27 (1.15–4.45), academia/research, OR = 4.78 (1.99–11.47) or ‘other’ fields, OR = 2.79 (1.23–6.32), and attitudes toward mental illness, OR = 1.32 (1.03–1.68). Conclusions Thirty percent of veterinarians in Norway reported mental health problems in need of treatment, and only half of them had sought professional help. A low degree of help-seeking was also seen among those with serious suicidal thoughts. Being female, positive attitudes toward treatment of mental illness, working in public administration, academia/research and ‘other’ field were associated with more help-seeking, while working in production animal practice was associated with less help-seeking. Interventions to increase help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians are warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:27:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-138fa147490044f6bd2952b0f03cc328 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:27:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-138fa147490044f6bd2952b0f03cc3282022-12-22T01:00:09ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-07-0122111010.1186/s12889-022-13710-yProfessional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study)Helene Seljenes Dalum0Reidar Tyssen1Torbjørn Moum2Magne Thoresen3Erlend Hem4Department of Behavioural Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of OsloDepartment of Behavioural Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of OsloDepartment of Behavioural Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of OsloDepartment of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of OsloDepartment of Behavioural Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of OsloAbstract Background Veterinarians have a relatively high prevalence of mental health problems; however, research on professional help-seeking is limited. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems and professional help-seeking behaviour for such problems, and the independent factors associated with help-seeking behaviour among veterinarians in Norway. Method This cross-sectional study included all veterinarians in Norway (response rate 75%, 70% women). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for professional help-seeking for mental health problems. Analyses were controlled for socio-demographic, individual (personality trait reality weakness, SCL-5, attitudes toward mental illness), and work-related factors (work field, job stress). Results The prevalence of self-reported mental health problems in need of treatment was 30% (746/2494), significantly higher among women than men (36% vs. 15%). Fifty-four percent had sought professional help, women significantly more often (56%) than men (41%). Among veterinarians with serious suicidal thoughts, 50% (69/139) had sought help. Veterinarians most frequently related mental health problems to work problems (47%), women significantly more often (49%) than men (34%). Factors significantly associated with help-seeking were being female, OR = 2.11 (95% CI: 1.24–3.60), working with production animals, OR = 0.35 (0.13–0.98), public administration, OR = 2.27 (1.15–4.45), academia/research, OR = 4.78 (1.99–11.47) or ‘other’ fields, OR = 2.79 (1.23–6.32), and attitudes toward mental illness, OR = 1.32 (1.03–1.68). Conclusions Thirty percent of veterinarians in Norway reported mental health problems in need of treatment, and only half of them had sought professional help. A low degree of help-seeking was also seen among those with serious suicidal thoughts. Being female, positive attitudes toward treatment of mental illness, working in public administration, academia/research and ‘other’ field were associated with more help-seeking, while working in production animal practice was associated with less help-seeking. Interventions to increase help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians are warranted.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13710-yVeterinariansMental health problemsSuicidal behaviourPersonality traitsHelp-seeking behaviour |
| spellingShingle | Helene Seljenes Dalum Reidar Tyssen Torbjørn Moum Magne Thoresen Erlend Hem Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study) BMC Public Health Veterinarians Mental health problems Suicidal behaviour Personality traits Help-seeking behaviour |
| title | Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study) |
| title_full | Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study) |
| title_fullStr | Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study) |
| title_short | Professional help-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway: a nationwide, cross-sectional study (The NORVET study) |
| title_sort | professional help seeking behaviour for mental health problems among veterinarians in norway a nationwide cross sectional study the norvet study |
| topic | Veterinarians Mental health problems Suicidal behaviour Personality traits Help-seeking behaviour |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13710-y |
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