[The new organization of labor at public universities: collective consequences of job instability on the health of teachers]

Predictors of job stress and alcohol consumption amongst university professors

The present study aimed to identify the predictors of job stress and alcohol consumption amongst 253 professors at a public university. Previous history of psychotropic drug use, as well as the Scale of Work Stress, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, and the Self-Report Questionnaire were used. Being female, younger than 40 years of age; of homosexual orientation; a workload of weekly classes of >10 h in total; and being positive for common mental disorders were identified as predictors of moderate or high work stress. The predictors of risky drinking or probable alcohol dependence were: male; younger than 40 years of age; tobacco use; health problems; teaching applied social sciences; and use of hypnotic medications. The findings could be used to develop strategies for the prevention or reduction of work stress and alcohol consumption amongst university professors.

Associated factors of professional burnout among faculty members of graduate stricto sensu programs in language teaching and linguistics: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The burnout syndrome can be avoided and/or have its signs and symptoms reduced by knowing the five associated factors that help identify the health and working conditions of the professors of graduate programs.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the factors associated with burnout among faculty members of graduate stricto sensu programs.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 585 faculty members of Graduate Programs in Language Teaching and Linguistics in Brazil.

METHODS

Data were collected through an online questionnaire. The outcomes were the dimensions of burnout and its related factors identified through multiple templates of logistic regression.

RESULTS

Faculty members with increased chances of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization mentioned the use of medications due to labor activities. The negative influence of pace and intensity of work, thoughts about quitting the program, and having to produce three or more scientific articles were associated with higher chances of emotional exhaustion, while having to achieve nine hours per week in undergraduate programs was related to reduced personal accomplishment. Having a conjugal relationship, satisfaction with health and work, post-doctoral degree, autonomy, and good interpersonal relationships with faculty members of the program reduced the chances of emotional exhaustion. Reduced chances of depersonalization occurred among those who were satisfied with work, had good interpersonal relationships with advisees and faculty members, and received productivity funding.

CONCLUSION

Sociodemographic, health, and occupational factors related to the dimensions of burnout were identified.

The work of professors, gender inequalities, and health at public universities

This study aimed to problematize aspects of the work of professors in relation to gender, assessment policies, and health. For this purpose, a qualitative social investigation was conducted within the aspect of participatory studies and the views of materialist feminism. An analysis of the material was carried out through content analysis, according to the topic, using four main themes: conflicts between professors' work and domestic work; professors' work, motherhood, and guilt; policies for the assessment of professors and gender relations; and the sexual division of labor and teaching. It was possible to perceive just how much the demands of the productive sphere have gone beyond the time of the workday and into the reproductive sphere and the private life of professors, compromising the struggle for health and leading to processes of suffering and illness. The theme of the sexual division of labor in public universities appears to be an important issue that highlights work overload and psychological illness, especially at a time when the teaching profession is becoming increasingly competitive. In conclusion, we believe that there is an imperative need for investments in public policies that can guarantee gender equality in higher education.

CONFLITOS DO PROFESSOR UNIVERSITÁRIO: O QUE SABEMOS SOBRE ISSO?

A pesquisa objetivou compreender e avaliar o sofrimento psíquico e adoecimento do professor universitário a partir da percepção de seu trabalho e de sua relação com ele. Utilizando-se da abordagem qualitativa, foram entrevistados sete professores de instituições públicas e privadas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, com idades entre 31 e 66 anos (M = 50; DP = 11,87). A avaliação do conteúdo se deu com o softwareIramuteq, por meio da Classificação Hierárquica Descendente (CHD). As entrevistas mostraram que o professor percebe seu trabalho como fascinante, porém neurotizante. Esse conflito pode levá-lo ao sofrimento e adoecimento. Mesmo que a admissão de novas políticas educacionais e organizacionais seja um desejo comum aos professores, foi possível notar a conquista de ações próprias, como o redesenho do trabalho (jobcrafting), como forma de lidar com as demandas laborais e criar condições que não levem ao adoecimento. 

Stress and psychoactive substance use among university professors

INTRODUCTION:

University professors are highly susceptible to work-related stress, and psychoactive substance use is often used as a stress alleviation strategy. This issue has attracted the attention of organizations that represent these workers given its potential repercussions on work and personal life.

OBJECTIVES:

This study aimed to evaluate the association between work-related stress and psychoactive substance use in university professors.

METHODS:

A descriptive and analytical-qualitative study was conducted in a public university in the countryside of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Data were collected from 67 professors using Google Forms and the following instruments: sociodemographic characteristics and occupational activity questionnaire; Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening; and Stress Symptom Inventory. Descriptive methods were used to calculate means and standard deviations. The association between occupational stress, substance use, and the variables studied was investigated using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests.

RESULTS:

Most participants were men, married, with children, and a master’s-level education. The mean age of the sample was 42 years. Differences were observed between the prevalence of legal and illegal substance use. Many participants were in the alert, resistance, or exhaustion stages of stress, with the resistance stage being the most frequent. Alcohol was the substance most commonly associated with work-related stress.

CONCLUSIONS:

Psychoactive substance use is associated with work-related stress among university professors.

Teaching work social temporality in a public university and health

This study aimed to analyze teaching work's temporality aspects in their relationship with health. Qualitative research was conducted with the participation of ten professors from a public university. Six meetings called "Worker's Health workshops" were held, a research methodology that gathers workers and researchers to discuss topics related to work and health. The material was analyzed through the content analysis technique, in the thematic modality. The main themes were identified from the transcribed materials of the workshops' dialogues, namely: working time intensification and extension, teacher's health, working time and sleep deprivation, and health advocacy strategies and solutions. We noted that health advocacy strategies are located in individuals and the workgroup, through cooperation and social time. The theme of an intensive and extensive combination of working time associated with insecure work conditions was identified. We concluded that teaching work time is underpinned by rules and social values under the historical determination of new managerial standards within the public university.

Percepções de docentes universitários sobre o ambiente de trabalho

Estudo descritivo-interpretativo com abordagem qualitativa, realizado em universidade pública do interior do Brasil. Teve como objetivo conhecer as percepções de professores universitários sobre o ambiente de trabalho. O estudo foi realizado por meio de entrevista guiada por um roteiro semiestruturado. A análise dos dados foi realizada a partir da análise de conteúdo. Verificou-se que esse ambiente está degradado, seja pelas relações de trabalho pouco harmoniosas, seja por problemas de gestão da dinâmica de trabalho e de condução das atividades. Esse ambiente apresenta riscos à saúde do docente e carece de maior atenção dos gestores, especialmente, quanto à promoção do espaço de trabalho, com maior igualdade e justiça.

Oficinas em saúde do trabalhador: ação educativa e produção dialógica de conhecimento sobre trabalho docente em universidade pública

Resumo Objetivo: analisar a abordagem metodológica “Oficinas em saúde do trabalhador” e seus resultados acerca das relações entre trabalho docente e saúde em universidade pública. Métodos: pesquisa social de caráter qualitativo e de natureza pedagógica e participativa. “Oficinas em saúde do trabalhador” são espaços onde trabalhadores e pesquisadores discutem temas de trabalho relacionados à saúde, pautados em investigação participativa e pedagogia freireana e em fundamentos do campo da Saúde do Trabalhador, principalmente o modelo operário de conhecimento e a teoria de Gramsci. Foram realizadas quatro reuniões com oito docentes pertencentes ao mesmo instituto de uma universidade federal localizada no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Resultados: no plano epistemológico, analisaram-se importantes temas acerca do trabalho e da saúde docentes, sendo eles: precarização da infraestrutura universitária e as condições de trabalho docente; relações coletivas e conflitos; sentidos e ambivalência do trabalho docente; queixas de saúde e intensificação do trabalho. Conclusão: este estudo possibilitou o desenvolvimento de abordagem metodológica de caráter dialógico e participativo. Embora o estudo esteja circunscrito a um pequeno grupo, o método propiciou identificar e analisar importantes aspectos do trabalho e da saúde docente que constatam transformações no trabalho em universidade, apontando para a necessidade de estudos de maior alcance.

Produção científica sobre docência em saúde no Brasil

RESUMO O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar a produção científica sobre docência em saúde no Brasil, visando identificar os principais temas de investigação, abordagens e as possíveis lacunas do conhecimento. Realizou-se um estudo de síntese a partir de artigos publicados sobre a temática. Foram considerados estudos nacionais, com texto em língua portuguesa, publicados até o ano de 2017 no SciELO e na Lilacs. Foram analisados, na íntegra, 99 estudos, identificando pontos de convergência entre os assuntos tratados, sendo extraídas/definidas as seguintes categorias: Prática docente; Formação docente; Perfil docente; Identidade docente; Trajetória docente e Saúde do docente. Os anos que tiveram maior concentração de publicações foram 2011 e 2016 com, respectivamente, 13,13%; e 2017 com 11,11%. A distribuição quantitativa por tipo de estudo demonstra que 71,8% deles têm base empírica. A região Sudeste foi a que apresentou maior concentração (55,55%), seguida da região Sul (18,18%) e da região Nordeste (17,17%). No que se refere às categorias temáticas, nos estudos, houve predominância da Prática docente (36,3%), seguida de Formação docente (31,3%) e Saúde do docente (18,2%). A temática da docência em saúde apresenta inúmeras lacunas, reafirmando a necessidade de investimentos em pesquisas que tragam soluções para os desafios da educação na saúde na contemporaneidade.