Autistic Veterinary Surgeon Mental Wellbeing and Psychosocial Working Conditions

Abstract

In the absence of evidence concerning mental wellbeing in autistic veterinary surgeons, the first aim of this study was to generate a profile of mental wellbeing in this population and draw comparisons with veterinary surgeon and general adult population norms. A high-quality psychosocial work environment may represent a protective factor for mental wellbeing and retention. Thus, the second aim of this study was to explore the extent to which autistic veterinary surgeons’ psychosocial working conditions meet aspirational UK government Management Standards and compare this to general workforce and veterinary surgeon norms. The third aim was to explore the strength and direction of linkages between psychosocial working conditions and mental wellbeing in order to generate recommendations on psychosocial work environment modifications to support mental wellbeing.