What shelters can do about euthanasia-related stress: an examination of recommendations from those on the front line.
Shelter employees with euthanasia responsibilities are an at-risk population for a variety of psychological and emotional ailments. This study surveyed 305 employees from 62 shelters throughout the United States to gather first-hand perspectives on what should be done to assist shelter workers in dealing with euthanasia-related stress. Researchers conducted a qualitative analysis of 359 improvement suggestions to identify broad common themes and sorted the suggestions into 26 thematic categories. The most common participant suggestion concerned management supportive-ness (13.17% of participants). Some other issues raised involved providing counseling, job rotation, assistance or more help, breaks and time off, support groups and meetings, better communication, skills-based training, stress and coping seminars, and employee appreciation and morale-boosting initiatives.
Rogelberg
Steven G
SG
Department of Psychology and Organizational Science, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina 28223-0001, USA. sgrogelb@email.uncc.edu
DiGiacomo
Natalie
N
Reeve
Charlie L
CL
Spitzmuller
Christiane
C
Clark
Olga L
OL
Teeter
Lisa
L
Walker
Alan G
AG
Carter
Nathan T
NT
Starling
Paula G
PG
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology*