Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
J Equine Vet Sci. 2021 Jun;101:103423. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103423. Epub 2021 Feb 21.
Racehorse trainers play an important role within the horseracing industry. Despite this, scarce empirical information exists regarding the mental health of this population. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to explore the prevalence of symptoms related to common mental disorders (CMDs) and their associations with specific risk factors for CMD. Participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire. CMDs were assessed including distress, depression, generalized anxiety and adverse alcohol use. The risk factors examined included career dissatisfaction, social support and financial difficulties. 124 participants (28% response rate) completed the questionnaire. In total, 45% met the threshold indicative of at least one CMD. Specifically, prevalence of symptoms associated with depression (41%), adverse alcohol use (38%), psychological distress (26%), and generalized anxiety (18%) was observed. Career dissatisfaction (28%) and financial difficulties (64%) were identified. Career dissatisfaction, lower levels of social support and financial difficulties all increased the likelihood of trainers meeting the criteria for at least one of distress, depression or generalized anxiety. The study was the first to highlight prevalence rates of symptoms associated with CMDs among racehorse trainers in Ireland and identify certain risk factors which may increase the likelihood of racehorse trainers meeting the criteria for a CMD. Assessment of risk factors can aid early identification of CMDs among racehorse trainers. Such benefits may include early diagnosis or signposting to professional support. Further research is required in examining other occupational stressors experienced by trainers and the impact these may have on symptoms of CMDs.
赛马训练师在赛马行业中扮演着重要的角色。尽管如此，针对这一人群的心理健康状况，实证信息却十分匮乏。因此，本研究旨在探讨赛马训练师常见精神障碍（CMD）症状的流行程度及其与 CMD 特定风险因素的关系。参与者完成了一份匿名在线问卷。CMD 包括苦恼、抑郁、广泛性焦虑和不良饮酒情况。研究人员检查了职业不满、社会支持和财务困难等风险因素。共有 124 名（28%的回复率）参与者完成了问卷。总体而言，45%的人符合至少一种 CMD 的标准。具体而言，观察到与抑郁（41%）、不良饮酒（38%）、心理困扰（26%）和广泛性焦虑（18%）相关的症状的患病率。同时还发现了职业不满（28%）和财务困难（64%）。职业不满、社会支持度较低和财务困难都增加了训练师符合苦恼、抑郁或广泛性焦虑至少一项标准的可能性。该研究首次强调了爱尔兰赛马训练师与 CMD 相关的症状流行率，并确定了某些可能增加赛马训练师符合 CMD 标准的风险因素。对风险因素的评估可以帮助早期识别赛马训练师的 CMD。这样的好处可能包括早期诊断或指向专业支持。进一步的研究需要检查训练师所经历的其他职业压力源，以及这些压力源对 CMD 症状的影响。
