Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns as Correlates of Health: A Comparative Analysis of Health Impairments Among Veterinarians in Germany by Employment Group

Background: Veterinarians are exposed to substantial occupational stress. This study examined associations between work-related behavior and experience patterns (the way in which people deal with stressful situations) and physical, psychological, and social-communicative health impairments across employment groups of veterinarians in Germany. Methods: Data were obtained from a nationwide online cross-sectional survey. Sociodemographic and occupational variables, Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns (AVEM), and Physical, Psychological, and Social Symptoms (KOEPS) were analyzed in 974 veterinarians. Results: Of the 706 participants with a classifiable AVEM pattern, 65.5% exhibited Risk Pattern A or Risk Pattern B. Risk Patterns A and B were particularly frequent among trainee/assistant veterinarians (19.6%) and employees in private practices/clinics (26%). Above-average KOEPS total-scale scores were most frequent among employees in private practices/clinics (40.5%) and trainee/assistant veterinarians (39.9%). In the adjusted model, employment group was significantly associated only with Psychological Impairment (p = 0.034), whereas AVEM pattern showed the largest effect sizes across all KOEPS outcomes. Conclusions: Health impairments occurred across employment groups and were more strongly associated with AVEM patterns than with employment status. Prevention should therefore address both working conditions and individual coping resources.