Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Honors Paper

Degree Name

Sociology-BA

Department

Sociology, Criminology and Justice Studies

Advisor

Dr. Leesa Kern

First Committee Member

Dr. Leesa Kern

Second Committee Member

Cindy Laurie-Rose

Third Committee Member

Prof. Louise Captein

Keywords

Social support, mental wellbeing, veterinary medicine, veterinary professionals

Subject Categories

Higher Education | Sociology

Abstract

Mental wellbeing is a significant concern for veterinary professionals and the subject of much discussion in the veterinary and academic fields. To determine whether social support is an effective protective factor for the mental wellbeing of veterinary professionals, I administered a survey to 879 veterinary clinics in Ohio, with ninety-two responses received for final analysis. The scales assessed mental wellbeing, organizational support, and nonorganizational support. I found organizational support, friends support, and family support to be positively correlated with mental wellbeing. Significant other support was not correlated with mental wellbeing. A linear regression evaluating social support as predictors of mental wellbeing was found to be a significant model. Specifically, organizational support and friends support were significant predictors of mental wellbeing. Family support was not a significant predictor. In a hierarchical regression controlling for demographic factors, age was found to be a significant predictor of mental wellbeing as well. Older age groups had higher mental wellbeing scores. Notable differences in mental wellbeing and social support levels were seen between job titles in the veterinary clinic, with veterinarians and owners more likely to have higher mental wellbeing scores, and veterinary assistants having lower mental wellbeing scores. Both veterinary assistants and client service representatives also had lower scores of organizational support. By identifying the importance of social support in and out of the workplace and key differences between individuals in the workplace, this research can help streamline initiatives to improve mental wellbeing for all in the veterinary field.

Licensing Permission

Copyright, all rights reserved. Fair Use

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Acknowledgement 2

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