Raising the bar: a systems approach to promoting good wellbeing and self-efficacy in zoo and aquarium professionals

Citation

Brando S, Buchanan-Smith HM, Planellas SR & Caes L (2026) Raising the bar: a systems approach to promoting good wellbeing and self-efficacy in zoo and aquarium professionals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2026.1746998

Abstract
This research examines life satisfaction, individual and organisational job satisfaction , and self-efficacy in zoo and aquarium (ZOAQ) professionals, investigating how organisational structures, processes, provisions, and team engagement contribute to these outcomes. We applied a novel integration of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, the Rhinelands Way, and the One Welfare framework to guide a mixed-methods study comprising a cross-sectional mixed-methods survey (n = 442) and follow-up interviews (n = 39) across 23 accredited organisations. Descriptive statistics, correlations, mediation and moderation analyses addressed five pre-specified hypotheses, with thematic analysis of interview data contextualising the quantitative findings. Most participants reported satisfactory individual job satisfaction (71%), and work perceptions and organisational appreciation were more strongly associated with job satisfaction than access to tangible provisions. However, findings revealed significant role-based disparities in provision access, a weak relationship between formal wellbeing processes and job satisfaction, and patterns of manager-observed behaviour and self-efficacy suppression consistent with learned helplessness. These results provide an empirical basis for developing people-centred organisational cultures character-ised by equitable provisions, supportive leadership, meaningful communication, and structures that promote help-seeking and collective goals including animal wellbeing and conservation. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, English-language sampling, and the inferential rather than direct measurement of learned helplessness.

Keywords
aquariums; employee wellbeing; leadership; learned helplessness; self-efficacy; working conditions; zoos

Journal
Frontiers in Veterinary Science: Volume 13