Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41555745›Full record

ReviewThe Veterinary record2026

Relevance of positive psychology in the veterinary profession: A narrative review.

Aiman Khattak, Philip Smith, Andria Jones, April L McGrath, Kathryn L Proudfoot, Caroline Ritter

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in The Veterinary record, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Aiman KhattakDepartment of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Philip SmithDepartment of Psychology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Andria JonesDepartment of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4933-3688
April L McGrathDepartment of Psychology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Kathryn L ProudfootDepartment of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Caroline RitterDepartment of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7349-5241

Funding

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVeterinary professionals encounter myriad stressors that challenge their wellbeing and mental health. Positive psychology provides an evidence-based approach to improving mental health by emphasising individual strengths, effective coping mechanisms, and the promotion of overall wellbeing. The specific objectives of this narrative review were to: (1) provide an overview of positive psychology concepts applicable to the veterinary profession, (2) synthesise the growing body of literature on positive psychology concepts researched within the veterinary context while also providing insights from other healthcare professions, and (3) inform the integration of positive psychology concepts in education and/or daily veterinary practice of veterinarians.

methodThis narrative review was conducted by examining peer-reviewed literature on positive psychology relevant to the veterinary profession.

resultsThe review highlights the promising potential of positive psychology for veterinary professionals. For example, meaningful experiences such as helping clients and patients can foster veterinarian job satisfaction and mental wellbeing. Emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion can enhance professional interactions and counteract negative mental health outcomes. Furthermore, practices such as mindfulness and flow have the potential to foster focus and emotional regulation, whereas self-esteem, self-efficacy and self-confidence contribute to a sense of competence and self-worth. LIMITATIONS: This review did not follow a systematic method for selecting and examining literature, and only includes peer-reviewed literature published in English.

conclusionThe evidence from this review provides encouraging possibilities to strengthen positive psychology skills applicable to veterinary professionals, bearing in mind that incorporating strategies for organisational wellbeing is equally important to promote a healthier and more sustainable veterinary field.

Indexed as

Psychology, PositiveVeterinariansHumansJob SatisfactionPsychological Well-BeingVeterinary MedicineflourishinghappinessPERMApositive affectthriving

Identifiers

PMID41555745
PMCPMC13330708

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.