Emotional Labor, Burnout, and Well-Being: The Moderating Roles of Resilience and Professional Calling Within the Veterinary Profession
by
Kelly A. Burich
(Under the Direction of Dr. Laura Stanley)
In the United States, the veterinary profession ranks as the third highest profession at risk for suicide, according to data produced by the three established professional organizations. Recent research has demonstrated that veterinarians face uniquely and disproportionately high levels of stress, depression, and even suicide compared to other healthcare professionals.
Grounded in the Conservation of Resources Theory and Career Construction Theory, this dissertation examines the influence of novel moderators and personal resources—specifically resilience and professional calling—in mitigating the adverse effects of emotional labor on burnout. Furthermore, it explores how these factors contribute to eudaimonic and hedonic well-being. A sample of veterinarians and veterinary technicians (N = 147) were surveyed to test nine (9) hypotheses. Three of the nine hypotheses were supported, further establishing the negative relationship between emotional labor and well-being in the veterinary profession. This study recommends future research and opportunities in organizational behavior, social psychology, burnout, emotional labor, and well-being.
KEYWORDS: Burnout, Emotional Labor, Eudaimonic Well-Being, Hedonic Well-Being, Resilience, Professional Calling, Veterinarian, Veterinary Technician