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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Vet. Sci.
Sec. Animal Behavior and Welfare
Volume 11 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1505531

Overcoming Barriers and Understanding the Psychological Impact of Timely Pig Euthanasia on Spanish-Speaking Swine Caretakers in the United States

Provisionally accepted
Pablo Lamino Pablo Lamino 1Renzo Ceme Vinces Renzo Ceme Vinces 1Nancy Acevedo León Nancy Acevedo León 2,3Amy Boren-Alpízar Amy Boren-Alpízar 4Marcelo Schmidt Marcelo Schmidt 2John McGlone John McGlone 3Arlene Garcia Arlene Garcia 2,3*
  • 1 Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Texas, United States
  • 2 School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, Texas, United States
  • 3 Department of Animal and Food Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States
  • 4 Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction: This study explores the complex experiences of Spanish-speaking swine caretakers with euthanasia, focusing on mental health, stress, burnout, and the impact of cultural factors. Methods: We conducted qualitative focus groups with Spanish-speaking swine caretakers from multiple farms, gathering insights from individuals with varying levels of experience and cultural backgrounds. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key factors influencing the euthanasia process. Results: The study found that caretaker stress and burnout, exacerbated by the "caring-killing paradox," significantly affect emotional well-being. Factors such as the frequency of euthanasia, level of knowledge and education, and cultural background were identified as influential. Caretakers performing euthanasia frequently showed signs of desensitization, while those with less experience experienced higher emotional distress. Cultural background influenced attitudes and decision-making regarding euthanasia. Discussion: This research underscores the need for mental health support and culturally sensitive training programs for swine caretakers. The findings align with existing literature on occupational stress and burnout and highlight the importance of comprehensive support systems. Future research should further examine the psychological impact of euthanasia across diverse agricultural settings and develop targeted interventions to support caretakers' mental health and improve animal welfare practices.

    Keywords: Pig Euthanasia 1, Common Swine Industry Audit (CSIA) 2, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) visa 3, Hispanic Workforce 4, Pig Caretakers 5

    Received: 03 Oct 2024; Accepted: 17 Dec 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Lamino, Ceme Vinces, Acevedo León, Boren-Alpízar, Schmidt, McGlone and Garcia. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Arlene Garcia, School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, 79106, Texas, United States

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.