Mental health impacts (PTSD, depression)

Last reviewed: January 9, 2026

Summary

Research literature discusses elevated risk of trauma-related symptoms and adverse mental health outcomes in some slaughterhouse workers, including frameworks like perpetration-induced traumatic stress. Evidence is not uniform, but the concern is well-documented.

Evidence Summary

Exposure to killing and violence can be psychologically harmful for some workers.
Broader factors (poverty, precarious labor, migration status) also contribute. Evidence quality: Low–Moderate (heterogeneous studies) Limitations / nuance: Causality and confounding are difficult; avoid overclaiming exact prevalence. Bottom line: Mental health harms are plausible and supported by a body of literature; communicate with appropriate uncertainty.

Supporting Evidence

Caveats: Causality and confounding are difficult to establish; avoid overclaiming prevalence.

Sources:

A Slaughterhouse Nightmare: Psychological Harm Suffered by Slaughterhouse Employees
A Slaughterhouse Nightmare: Psychological Harm Suffered by Slaughterhouse Employees