Title:
Probable posttraumatic stress disorder and related factors in veterinarians who perform euthanasia
Author:
Keri-Lynn Doyle
Thesis Advisor:
Jeffrey M. Lating
Committee Member:
Carolyn M. Barry
Committee Member:
Matthew W. Kirkhart
Committee Member:
Stephen E. Fowl
Committee Member:
Sharon Green-Hennessy
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2018
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
Veterinarians are a unique population of medical providers who are frequently exposed to or are responsible for the death of their patients. In fact, some studies have found significant associations related to performing euthanasia, symptoms depression and suicidal ideation. The purpose of this study was to expand these previous findings by assessing the relations among performing euthanasia, the use of various coping skills as measured by the COPE Scales (Humor, Instrumental and Emotional Social Support, Positive Reinterpretation, and Mental Disengagement), and probable PTSD, as measured by the PCL-5, in a sample of 276 veterinarians. The results revealed that veterinarians reported a rate of probable PTSD of 17%, which is twice the rate found in the general population. While the results found no association between performing euthanasia and probable PTSD, use of positive reinterpretation as a coping skill was related to lower levels of reported PTSD symptoms. Conversely, use of mental disengagement as a coping skill was related to higher levels of reported PTSD symptoms. Finally, viewing performing euthanasia as a central part of being a veterinarian was related to lower levels of reported PTSD symptoms. Limitations of the study, implications, and directions for future research are presented.
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Degree:
Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Level:
Doctoral
Discipline:
Psychology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online to Loyola Notre Dame Library basic constituency.
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Identifier:
DoyleKL-18
