# Cognitive and Emotional Irritation in German Veterinarians with Different Levels of Overcommitment

## TL;DR

Young German veterinarians are more likely to experience work-related stress and overcommitment compared to older ones, highlighting the need for mental health support.

## Contribution

The study identifies age-related differences in overcommitment and stress among German veterinarians, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

## Key findings

- Younger veterinarians (<35 years) reported higher overcommitment and stress levels compared to older ones.
- Overcommitment was strongly linked to increased cognitive and emotional irritation.
- Older veterinarians (>45 years) showed lower overcommitment and stress, suggesting age-related resilience.

## Abstract

Veterinary medicine is a highly demanding profession with long working hours and significant emotional strain. This study examined how overcommitment—excessive dedication to work—relates to psychological stress among veterinarians in Germany, particularly across different age groups. A total of 995 veterinarians took part in the study, completing questionnaires about their work habits and stress levels. The results demonstrated that younger veterinarians were more likely to be overcommitted and to experience higher levels of stress, including emotional exhaustion and difficulty disconnecting from work. In contrast, older veterinarians reported lower levels of overcommitment and stress. The study highlights the need for mental health interventions, particularly for younger veterinarians. Stress management training programs and workplace policies that promote work–life balance could help reduce long-term mental health risks. Addressing these challenges is essential to maintaining veterinarians’ well-being and job satisfaction, which ultimately benefits both animal care and public health.

Background: veterinary medicine is among the most stressful professions and is characterized by long working hours and high emotional demands. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between overcommitment and psychological stress (on the basis of irritation) among veterinarians in Germany, with a particular focus on age differences. Methods: the analysis included a sample of 995 veterinarians divided into three age groups: <35 years, 35–45 years and >45 years. Sociodemographic and job-related data as well as the overcommitment scale (OC, subscale of the Effort–Reward–Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire), and the irritation scale (IS), were both collected. Results: the results reveal that younger (vs. older) veterinarians are significantly more likely to have high overcommitment levels. This group also reported higher-than-average levels of cognitive and emotional irritation, whereas the oldest age group reported comparatively lower overcommitment levels. Age and years of work were negatively correlated with overcommitment, and overcommitment was strongly positively correlated with cognitive and emotional irritation. Conclusions: this study highlights the need for preventative measures to reduce overcommitment and mental stress, particularly among young veterinarians. Interventions during veterinarian studies and in the workplace that promote excessive expectations and stress are crucial to ensure long-term mental health and job satisfaction among this professional group.