Employee reactions and adjustment to euthanasia-related work: identifying turning-point events through retrospective narratives.
This study used a retrospective narrative procedure to examine the critical events that influence reactions and adjustment to euthanasia-related work of 35 employees who have stayed in the animal care and welfare field for at least 2 years. The study analyzed adjustment trajectory graphs and interview notes to identify turning-point events that spurred either a positive or negative change in shelter workers' psychological well-being. Analysis of the identified turning-point events revealed 10 common event themes that have implications for a range of work, personnel, and organizational practices. The article discusses implications for shelter, employee, and animal welfare.
Reeve
Charlie L
CL
Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, PA, USA. creeve@psych.purdue.edu
Spitzmuller
Christiane
C
Rogelberg
Steven G
SG
Walker
Alan
A
Schultz
Lisa
L
Clark
Olga
O
D017750:Animal Technicians / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*