Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative review
IntroductionVeterinary students face significant challenges impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The rigorous academic curriculum, high expectations, and demanding clinical training create an environment of intense pressure and constant stress. This review explores the demographic and psycho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1470022/full |
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| author | Rahib K. Islam Emily K. Cobb Hannah K. McCowan Kylie Watson Kaustuv Bhattacharya Kaustuv Bhattacharya Anjali Chandra Warda Mohiuddin Karen Gruszynski Karen Gruszynski Amanda H. Wilkerson John J. Dascanio Robert E. Davis Vinayak K. Nahar Vinayak K. Nahar |
| author_facet | Rahib K. Islam Emily K. Cobb Hannah K. McCowan Kylie Watson Kaustuv Bhattacharya Kaustuv Bhattacharya Anjali Chandra Warda Mohiuddin Karen Gruszynski Karen Gruszynski Amanda H. Wilkerson John J. Dascanio Robert E. Davis Vinayak K. Nahar Vinayak K. Nahar |
| author_sort | Rahib K. Islam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionVeterinary students face significant challenges impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The rigorous academic curriculum, high expectations, and demanding clinical training create an environment of intense pressure and constant stress. This review explores the demographic and psychosocial variables influencing mental health outcomes, highlighting common stressors and coping strategies.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar. Studies published up to 2021 involving veterinary students were included. Twenty-one peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, stressors, mental health measures, and coping strategies were extracted and analyzed. Studies focused on various mental health aspects, including stress, anxiety, depression, and coping mechanisms. The final selection was based on relevance, quality, and comprehensiveness.ResultsThe reviewed studies indicated that rigorous academic demands, high expectations, and clinical training contribute to elevated stress levels among veterinary students. Women reported higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to men, necessitating gender-specific interventions. Social support and relationship quality were crucial for mental wellbeing, with students in supportive environments experiencing lower stress. Effective coping strategies included exercise and social activities; whereas, harmful behaviors like substance misuse exacerbated mental health issues. Despite using mental health services, barriers such as stigma and lack of awareness hindered access for some students.ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for targeted support systems to enhance the mental health and resilience of veterinary students. Interventions to promote healthy coping mechanisms, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health resources are essential. Veterinary schools should prioritize creating a supportive environment to ensure students can manage the demands of their profession while maintaining their mental health and wellbeing. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4eba4c4ec57a427994d1f403d15ecf80 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-4eba4c4ec57a427994d1f403d15ecf802025-02-11T06:59:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-02-011210.3389/fvets.2025.14700221470022Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative reviewRahib K. Islam0Emily K. Cobb1Hannah K. McCowan2Kylie Watson3Kaustuv Bhattacharya4Kaustuv Bhattacharya5Anjali Chandra6Warda Mohiuddin7Karen Gruszynski8Karen Gruszynski9Amanda H. Wilkerson10John J. Dascanio11Robert E. Davis12Vinayak K. Nahar13Vinayak K. Nahar14LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United StatesDepartment of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United StatesDepartment of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United StatesCenter for Animal and Human Health in Appalachia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United StatesDepartment of Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, United StatesCenter for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University, MS, United StatesBrigham and Women Hospital, Boston, MA, United StatesWilliam Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, MS, United StatesCenter for Animal and Human Health in Appalachia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, United StatesCollege of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, United States0Department of Health Science, College of Human Environmental Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States1Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, Amarillo, TX, United States2Substance Use and Mental Health Laboratory, Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United StatesDepartment of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States3Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine/John D. Bower School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United StatesIntroductionVeterinary students face significant challenges impacting their mental health and wellbeing. The rigorous academic curriculum, high expectations, and demanding clinical training create an environment of intense pressure and constant stress. This review explores the demographic and psychosocial variables influencing mental health outcomes, highlighting common stressors and coping strategies.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar. Studies published up to 2021 involving veterinary students were included. Twenty-one peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, stressors, mental health measures, and coping strategies were extracted and analyzed. Studies focused on various mental health aspects, including stress, anxiety, depression, and coping mechanisms. The final selection was based on relevance, quality, and comprehensiveness.ResultsThe reviewed studies indicated that rigorous academic demands, high expectations, and clinical training contribute to elevated stress levels among veterinary students. Women reported higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to men, necessitating gender-specific interventions. Social support and relationship quality were crucial for mental wellbeing, with students in supportive environments experiencing lower stress. Effective coping strategies included exercise and social activities; whereas, harmful behaviors like substance misuse exacerbated mental health issues. Despite using mental health services, barriers such as stigma and lack of awareness hindered access for some students.ConclusionThe findings underscore the need for targeted support systems to enhance the mental health and resilience of veterinary students. Interventions to promote healthy coping mechanisms, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health resources are essential. Veterinary schools should prioritize creating a supportive environment to ensure students can manage the demands of their profession while maintaining their mental health and wellbeing.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1470022/fullveterinary studentsmental healthstressanxietydepressioncoping strategies |
| spellingShingle | Rahib K. Islam Emily K. Cobb Hannah K. McCowan Kylie Watson Kaustuv Bhattacharya Kaustuv Bhattacharya Anjali Chandra Warda Mohiuddin Karen Gruszynski Karen Gruszynski Amanda H. Wilkerson John J. Dascanio Robert E. Davis Vinayak K. Nahar Vinayak K. Nahar Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative review Frontiers in Veterinary Science veterinary students mental health stress anxiety depression coping strategies |
| title | Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative review |
| title_full | Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative review |
| title_fullStr | Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative review |
| title_short | Exploring mental health in veterinary students: common stressors and effective coping strategies: a narrative review |
| title_sort | exploring mental health in veterinary students common stressors and effective coping strategies a narrative review |
| topic | veterinary students mental health stress anxiety depression coping strategies |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1470022/full |
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