How Workplace Conditions Shape Veterinarian Personality & Wellbeing

Abstract

Certain jobs require the right personality type. For example, when I was a teenager, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I love animals, and I thought it would be great to be around them all day. Unfortunately, I did not know the reality of what they do. While it is true that they work all day with animals, many come in because they are sick or dying. I found the truth after reading an article in a magazine. A woman who had just become a veterinarian lost a poodle puppy who had come in for spaying. The puppy did not handle the anesthesia well and died. It was her first day on the job. It affected me so deeply I knew I would never be able to take something like that. I knew that if I could gain the capacity to be dispassionate regarding death, I would be destroying my empathy. I think this is might be a problem for many vets, especially women. Studies have found that the suicide rate for female vets is 3.5% higher than for the general population (States News Service, 2018). The reasons are varied, but most vets say that it is very stressful and many have feelings of hopelessness and despair (Platt, et al. 2012). Despite some jobs requiring particular personality types, someone can grow into a position over time. Evidence supports that personality can change due to workplace conditions; longitudinal studies found a relationship between workplace satisfaction and increases in extroversion and decreases in neuroticism (Le, Donnellan, & Conger, 2014). In addition, this same study explored how the workplace shaped personality traits in young adults. Le, Donnellan, and Conger (2014) found that personality traits found in individuals ages 18-26 can determine how they view the workplace, and the workplace is an important site...