Depression and Suicidal Tendencies in Veterinary Students and Veterinarians

Project Team: Nadine Schunter, Kathrin Schwerdtfeger, Prof. Heide Glaesmer, Prof. Mahtab Bahramsoltani

Both veterinary students and veterinarians are confronted with emotionally stressful challenges, such as illness and death. It is therefore not surprising that international studies as well as the data collected as part of this project show that both veterinarians and veterinary students have a higher risk of developing depression and an increased risk of suicide compared to the general population. In addition to determining the prevalence of depression and suicidal tendencies, the aim of the study is to identify potential predictors and identify fields of action.

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Perceived Academic Self-Efficacy among Students of Veterinary Medicine

Project Team: Alina Prior, Dr. Christin Kleinsorgen, Dr. Christine Wolter, Prof. Mahtab Bahramsoltani

In order to master the performance-related demands of studying, you need to believe that you can trust in your own abilities, even in difficult situations. In psychology, this is described as perceived academic self-efficacy. A considerable number of studies show that perceived academic self-efficacy is one of the most influential predictors of academic performance. Perceived self-efficacy is also an important psychological resource and thus contributes to a person's health and well-being. In order to effectively strengthen this resource of prospective veterinarians, this project uses qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate the institutional and curricular factors affecting perceived academic self-efficacy of veterinary students.