Caring, killing and an always busy schedule: a cross-sectional study on stress and strain in laboratory animal professionals in German-speaking countries

Various studies have documented psychological strain in laboratory animal professionals (LAPs). However, reliable data on relevant stressors remain limited. This study aimed to assess potential stressors experienced by LAPs in German-speaking countries and analyse their impact on psychological strain. An online survey was conducted in summer 2023, assessing the participants' mental strain using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), common general stressors using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), as well as potential job-specific stressors. The final sample included 932 anonymous LAP participants. Data were analysed descriptively and using hierarchical regression analysis. Tasks like the euthanasia of surplus animals or being unable to alleviate animal distress due to scientific needs emerged as job-specific stressors. However, the results of the hierarchical regression indicated that general stressors, such as work-privacy conflict, physical and emotional demands, the need to hide emotions, and the degree of one's own influence at work, explained at least as much of the variance in psychological strain as the specific stressors. In addition, work experience, function, and gender significantly influenced the GHQ score. The results from this study could contribute to fostering a culture of care by developing general protection means for the psychological hazards in the workplaces of LAPs, thus reducing their adverse effects on personnel, laboratory animals and research results.