| dc.description.abstract | Health professionals who work in mental health services are exposed to situations related to
organization and working conditions which can cause health damage, overload and pathogenic
distress. Objective: To analyze the relationship between health damage, overload and work
distress in mental health professionals. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional and analytical
study, carried out in mental health services, such as Psychosocial Care Centers and in mental
health units in general hospitals in the 4th Regional Health Coordination. Health professionals
who worked in those services for at least three months took part in the data collection, which
took place between October 2020 and July 2021. Data collection occurred in person and online,
and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument for personal and work
characterization, the Work-Related Harm Scales, and Indicators of Work Distress and
Evaluation of the Impact of Work on Mental Health Services were also used. Data were
analyzed according to descriptive and inferential statistics, using statistical software.
Association analyzes, using Pearson's chi-square test, and correlation, using Spearman's
correlation coefficient, were performed. The internal consistency analysis was verified using
Cronbach's alpha coefficient. A significance level of 5% was adopted in all analyzes (p < 0.05).
Results: 141 health professionals participated in this study, predominantly females, with a mean
age of 38.17 years. Professionals who used some type of medication, who practiced physical
activity, had leisure activities one or more times a week and who were not away from work due
to illness prevailed. There were associations between the workplace and work variables, such
as training, accidents at work, and the effect factor on team functioning on the work impact
scale (p<0.05). A low risk was identified for the presence of physical, psychological and social
harm, a high burden on physical and mental health and on the team's functioning, a low burden
on feeling overwhelmed and a low risk for work distress. There was a strong and direct
correlation between social and psychological harm, between the impacts of work on physical
and mental health with team functioning and feeling overwhelmed, and between mental
exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed. Conclusions: There is a significant association between
harm caused by work, overload felt by the team and work-related distress, which compromises
physical and mental health of mental health professionals. Contributions: this study identified
associations between variables that may have a negative impact on the health of mental health
professionals, an incipient scenario for investigations on workers' health. It has potential for
innovation insofar as it provides data that can contribute to the planning of actions aimed at the
care and promotion of health of professionals. Furthermore, it may contribute to broaden the
discussions between managers and professionals, with hopes to make them aware of the health
risks related to work, such as overload, distress and physical and psychosocial damage. | |
