Stigma, Coping, Stress and Distress in the Veterinary Profession-the Importance of Evidence-Based Discourse

Mental health stigma is a well-recognised and much discussed problem. Perceptions of public stigma – negative stereotypes and prejudice – contribute to the development of self-stigma (ie, the internalisation of these negative stereotypes), which can cause reduced self-esteem, wellbeing, health and self-efficacy, including belief in one’s own ability to cope. These, in turn, affect attitudes to help-seeking and the willingness to seek help.

By Cardwell, J.M.; Lewis, E.G. on July 05, 2024

In a study summarised of this issue of Vet Record, McArthur and colleagues investigated self- stigma and the strategies employed by Australian veterinary students for coping with stress.
While stress in itself is not an illness, chronic stress has negative implications for psychological and physical health. Students in the study primarily used adaptive strategies (ie, those that help to reduce stress) rather than maladaptive strategies (ie, those that may actually increase stress) to cope with stress, with variations in approach identified by gender and by degree of self-stigma. For example, it was observed that male students had a higher tendency towards self-stigma and less inclination to seek support.