What do conservation biologists think about their job and working conditions?

Tickell

et al. 2021

Conservation Biology

Section: How Satisfied Are Respondents With Progress Towards Importan...supporting

confidence: 61%

Balancing making a difference with making a living in the conservation sector

Tickell

et al. 2021

Conservation Biology

“…Moreover, many conservation roles blur the boundary of personal and professional lives. For instance, conservation scientists often work outside regular o ce hours, may be based in remote locations, and spend signi cant time away from friends and family 20,21 . Similarly, some in the sector can have con icting responsibilities and loyalties, which may be distressing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protecting those who protect nature by supporting conservationists’ mental health

Tickell

et al. 2022

Preprint

Biodiversity conservation work can be challenging but rewarding, with potential consequences for conservationists’ mental health. Yet, little is known about patterns of mental health among conservationists and its associated protective and risk factors. A better understanding may help improve working conditions, supporting conservationists’ job satisfaction, productivity, and engagement, while reducing costs from staff turnover, absenteeism, and presenteeism. We surveyed 2311 conservation professionals working across 122 countries, asking about experiences of psychological distress, personal characteristics, and workplace conditions. Over half were from and worked in Europe and North America, and most had university-level education, were in desk-based academic and practitioner roles, and responded in English. Moderate or severe distress was reported by 27.8% (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale scores over 24). Respondents with low dispositional and conservation-specific optimism, poor physical health, limited social support, women, and early-career professionals were most at risk in our sample. Heavy workload, job demands, and organisational instability were linked to higher distress, but job stability and satisfaction with one’s contributions to conservation were associated with lower distress. We suggest ways employers and others might ‘promote the positives’ and manage the risks of working in the sector, potentially supporting conservationists’ mental health and abilities to protect nature.

“…Although not specifically focused on mental health, other studies provide valuable insights into conservation professionals' workplace challenges. These include studies describing difficulties in maintaining work‐life balances, which can harm personal relationships (Campos‐Arceiz et al, 2013; Ramos et al, 2017). It also includes research examining a broad range of issues faced by conservation rangers, including inadequate resourcing, poor health and safety conditions, dangers involved in law enforcement, and poor compensation (Anagnostou et al, 2022; Belecky et al, 2019; Moreto, 2016; Singh et al, 2020; Spira et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological distress and workplace risk inequalities among conservation professionals

Lange

et al. 2023

Conservat Sci and Prac

Workplaces can be sources of both stress and support, affecting employees' mental health and productivity. Yet, little research has investigated variability in workplace risk factors for poor mental health in conservation. We aimed to explore how patterns of psychological distress—a state of emotional disturbance—and associated workplace risk factors vary between conservation job roles. Working with three case study organizations in India, South Africa, and Cambodia, we surveyed 280 field‐based, office‐based, and research staff. Moderate or severe psychological distress was reported by 28.9%. Field‐based practitioners reported a greater imbalance between workplace efforts and rewards (0.35 standard deviation (SD), 95% credibility interval (CI) 0.03–0.67) than their colleagues, which was associated with greater psychological distress (0.24 SD, 95% CI 0.10–0.39). After controlling for this mediated relationship, researchers reported greater psychological distress than field‐based practitioners (0.37 SD, 95% CI 0.02–0.72). However, when accounting for all direct and indirect effects, there was no overall difference in distress between roles. Employers, funders, professional societies, and other institutions seeking to support conservationists' mental health should understand and offer support tailored to role‐specific challenges. Doing so might enhance conservationists' wellbeing while strengthening their ability to reverse global nature loss.