Dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence of common mental disorders in "invisible" health workers and their association with occupational stressors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between occupational stressors and common mental disorders (CMD) among "invisible" health workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Cross-sectional study including a probabilistic sample of 1,014 health workers from three municipalities in Bahia. CMDs were assessed using the SRQ-20. The Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) scale and the Demand-Control Model assessed occupational stressors. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple analysis to evaluate the association between the variables of interest. RESULTS: The global prevalence of CMD was 39.9%; it was higher among CHA/EDCA (47.2%), followed by management and surveillance staff (38.6%), technicians (35.4%), and support/maintenance/cleaning staff (29.9%). The association between occupational stressors and CMD varied among occupations: 1. Excessive work commitment (EWC), effort-reward imbalance (ERI), and psychological demand were associated with CMD among support/maintenance/cleaning workers; 2. EWC and ERI were associated with CMD among CHA/EDCA; 3. EWC, ERI, and low control over work were associated with CMD among technicians; 4. Among management and surveillance workers, only ERI remained associated with CMD. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational stressors played a relevant role in mental illness, with variation between occupational strata, demanding attention, monitoring, and control.

Does physical activity and inflammation mediate the job stress-headache relationship? A sequential mediation analysis in the ELSA-Brasil study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that physical activity reduces stress and promote a myriad of health-enhancing effects through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, it is unknown whether these mechanisms interfere in the association between psychosocial job stress and headache disorders. OBJECTIVE: To test whether physical activity and its interplay with the systemic inflammation biomarkers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and acute phase glycoproteins (GlycA) would mediate the associations between job stress and headache disorders. METHODS: We cross-sectionally evaluated the baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) regarding job stress (higher demand and lower control and support subscales), migraine and tension-type headache (ICHD-2 criteria), self-reported leisure-time physical activity, and plasma hs-CRP and GlycA levels. Conditional process analyses with a sequential mediation approach were employed to compute path coefficients and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) around the indirect effects of physical activity and biomarkers on the job stress-headache relationship. Separate models were adjusted for sex, age, and depression and anxiety. Further adjustments added BMI smoking status, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: In total, 7,644 people were included in the study. The 1-year prevalence of migraine and tension-type headache were 13.1 % and 49.4 %, respectively. In models adjusted for sex, age, anxiety, and depression, the association between job stress (lower job control) and migraine was mediated by physical activity [effect = -0.039 (95 %CI: -0.074, -0.010)] but not hs-CRP or GlycA. TTH was associated with higher job control and lower job demand, which was mediated by the inverse associations between physical activity and GlycA [Job Control: effect = 0.0005 (95 %CI: 0.0001, 0.0010); Job Demand: effect = 0.0003 (95 %CI: 0.0001, 0.0007]. Only the mediating effect of physical activity in the job stress-migraine link remained after further adjustments including socioeconomic factors, BMI, smoking, and the exclusion of major chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: In the ELSA-Brasil study, physical activity reversed the link between job stress and migraine independently of systemic inflammation, while the LTPA-mediated downregulation of GlycA was associated with lower job stress-related TTH.

Job stress and chronic low back pain: incidence, number of episodes, and severity in a 4-year follow-up of the ELSA-Brasil Musculoskeletal cohort.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the association between job stress, as assessed by the effort-reward imbalance model, and the incidence of chronic low back pain (CLBP) over a 4-year period. A total of 1733 participants from the ELSA-Brasil Musculoskeletal cohort, who were free from LBP at baseline (2012-2014), were included. Episodes of LBP in the past 30 days, intensity, and the presence of disability were investigated in annual telephone follow-ups (2015-2018). Chronic LBP was defined as episodes of LBP lasting >3 months with at least moderate intensity. We analyzed the incidence of at least one episode of CLBP (yes/no), the number of CLBP episodes (0, 1, ≥2), and CLBP severity/disability (absent, nondisabling, severe/disabling). The association between these outcomes and tertiles of the effort-to-reward ratio, as well as each dimension of the effort-reward imbalance model, was investigated using multinomial logistic and Poisson regression models adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational variables. The cumulative incidence of CLBP over 4 years was 24.8%. High effort-reward imbalance increased the chances of experiencing multiple CLBP episodes and severe/disabling CLBP by 67% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-2.47) and 70% (95% CI: 1.14-2.53), respectively. High overcommitment increased the incidence of CLBP by 23% (95% CI: 1.01-1.50) and the chances of multiple CLBP episodes and severe/disabling CLBP by 67% (95% CI: 1.11-2.50) and 57% (95% CI: 1.05-2.34), respectively. These results indicate that exposure to job stress is associated with a higher incidence, a greater number of episodes, and increased severity of CLBP over a 4-year period. If this association is causal, measures aimed at reducing exposure to job stress are likely to alleviate the burden of CLBP.

The impact of negative affects on the high prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress in healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders are the conditions that most contribute to incapacity worldwide. While many healthcare professionals adapt in dealing with various demands, others do not. How much of these conditions is associated with affective experience needs to be studied. OBJECTIVE: Assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress while investigating the relationship between the presence of positive and negative affect in healthcare professionals. METHODS: This study's convenience sample consisted of 975 providers (including nursing, physicians, and multidisciplinary team) and administrative professionals (service and supervision teams) working at a general private hospital in Brazil. Data were collected in 2019 through a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-X). The results are shown through multinomial regression with odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and P-value. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 49.4%, 46.1%, and 49.8%, respectively, showing high prevalence. It was observed that a high presence of negative affect is associated with a greater likelihood of developing anxiety, depression, and stress, while a high presence of positive affect is associated with a lower likelihood of depression and stress prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress in healthcare professionals is associated with the presence of negative affects. Mental disorders should be measured, and practices adopted to ensure well-being and job performance.

Work-related stress among nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic: What are the contributing factors?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the contributing factors of work-related stress among nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 101 nurse practitioners from two hospitals in West Java, Indonesia. We distributed an online questionnaire to evaluate work-related stress and the data were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: More than half of the nurses experienced moderate work-related stress. The study revealed that nurses aged over 35 years old had a lower likelihood of experiencing work-related stress (AOR: 0.173; 95%CI: 0.038-0.782). Married nurses had a higher likelihood (AOR: 7.156; 95% CI: 1.456-35.163). Additionally, nurses with low and moderate workloads had a lower likelihood (AOR: 0.003; 95%CI: 0.000-0.051) and (AOR: 0.025; 95%CI: 0.005-0.116), respectively. CONCLUSION: The consideration of age, marital status, and workload is essential in effectively addressing work-related stress among nurse practitioners.

Estrés laboral en profesionales de la atención primaria durante la pandemia de COVID-19: estudio de métodos mixtos / Occupational stress in primary care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: mixed methods study / Estresse ocupacional em profissionais da atenção primária durante a pandemia da COVID-19: estudo de métodos mistos

Objetivo: analizar el riesgo de exposición al estrés laboral de los profesionales de la Atención Primaria de la Salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y la percepción que tienen sobre esa experiencia. Método: estudio de métodos mixtos del tipo explicativo secuencial, con 50 profesionales de la atención primaria. Se utilizaron cuestionarios sociodemográficos, clínicos y laborales, Job Stress Scale y entrevista semiestructurada. Los datos cuantitativos fueron sometidos a análisis estadístico descriptivo y analítico; los cualitativos, a Análisis de Contenido Temático. Resultados: el 66% de los profesionales estuvieron expuestos a estrés laboral. La profesión médica se asoció al trabajo de alta exigencia (p<0,001); los enfermeros, técnicos en enfermería, profesionales de odontología, al trabajo activo (p<0,001); los odontólogos, a menor exigencia psicológica (p<0,001). Los profesionales con más de dieciséis años de graduados presentaron mejores condiciones para lidiar con los estresores que aquellos con menos de cinco años (p<0,03). La integración de datos demostró que la pandemia repercutió en la vida, el trabajo e interfaces con los síntomas psicológicos. Conclusión: los profesionales trabajaron bajo altas exigencias psicológicas y alto riesgo de exposición al estrés durante la pandemia de COVID-19. El autocontrol y un alto apoyo social pueden contribuir a reducir estos riesgos, así como el tiempo de formación y la experiencia profesional.

Objective: to analyze the risk of exposure to occupational stress among primary healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and their perception regarding their experience. Method: mixed-methods sequential explanatory study with 50 primary care professionals. Sociodemographic, clinical, and labor questionnaires, Job Stress Scale, and semi-structured interviews were used. Quantitative data were submitted to descriptive and analytical statistical analysis; qualitative data were submitted to Thematic Content Analysis. Results: 66% of professionals were exposed to occupational stress. Doctors were associated with highly demanding work (p<0.001); nurses, nursing technicians, and dental professionals with active work (p<0.001); and dentists with lower psychological demand (p<0.001). Professionals with more than sixteen years of experience had better conditions to deal with stressful factors, compared to those with less than five years (p<0.03). Data integration showed implications of the pandemic in life, work, and interfaces with psychological symptoms. Conclusion: professionals worked under high psychological demands and a high risk of exposure to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-control and high social support may contribute to reducing these risks, as well as professional training and experience.

Objetivo: analisar o risco de exposição ao estresse ocupacional em profissionais de saúde da Atenção Primária à Saúde durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e sua percepção sobre essa vivência. Método: estudo de métodos mistos do tipo explanatório sequencial, com 50 profissionais da atenção primária. Foram utilizados questionários sociodemográfico, clínico e laboral, Job Stress Scale e entrevista semiestruturada. Os dados quantitativos foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva e analítica; os qualitativos, à Análise Temática de Conteúdo. Resultados: 66% dos profissionais apresentaram exposição ao estresse ocupacional. A profissão médica associou-se ao trabalho de alta exigência (p<0,001); enfermeiros, técnicos em Enfermagem, profissionais da Odontologia, ao trabalho ativo (p<0,001); dentistas, a menor demanda psicológica (p<0,001). Profissionais com mais de dezesseis anos de formados apresentaram melhores condições para lidar com fatores estressantes, comparados aos com menos de cinco anos (p<0,03). A integração dos dados evidenciou implicações da pandemia na vida, no trabalho e interfaces com os sintomas psicológicos. Conclusão: os profissionais trabalharam sob altas demandas psicológicas e elevado risco de exposição ao estresse durante a pandemia pela COVID-19. Autocontrole e elevado apoio social podem contribuir para redução desses riscos, assim como tempo de formação e experiência profissional.

Occupational stress in primary care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: mixed methods study. / Estrés laboral en profesionales de la atención primaria durante la pandemia de COVID-19: estudio de métodos mixtos.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the risk of exposure to occupational stress among primary healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and their perception regarding their experience. METHOD: mixed-methods sequential explanatory study with 50 primary care professionals. Sociodemographic, clinical, and labor questionnaires, Job Stress Scale, and semi-structured interviews were used. Quantitative data were submitted to descriptive and analytical statistical analysis; qualitative data were submitted to Thematic Content Analysis. RESULTS: 66% of professionals were exposed to occupational stress. Doctors were associated with highly demanding work (p<0.001); nurses, nursing technicians, and dental professionals with active work (p<0.001); and dentists with lower psychological demand (p<0.001). Professionals with more than sixteen years of experience had better conditions to deal with stressful factors, compared to those with less than five years (p<0.03). Data integration showed implications of the pandemic in life, work, and interfaces with psychological symptoms. CONCLUSION: professionals worked under high psychological demands and a high risk of exposure to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-control and high social support may contribute to reducing these risks, as well as professional training and experience.

OBJETIVO: analizar el riesgo de exposición al estrés laboral de los profesionales de la Atención Primaria de la Salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y la percepción que tienen sobre esa experiencia. MÉTODO: estudio de métodos mixtos del tipo explicativo secuencial, con 50 profesionales de la atención primaria. Se utilizaron cuestionarios sociodemográficos, clínicos y laborales, Job Stress Scale y entrevista semiestructurada. Los datos cuantitativos fueron sometidos a análisis estadístico descriptivo y analítico; los cualitativos, a Análisis de Contenido Temático. RESULTADOS: el 66% de los profesionales estuvieron expuestos a estrés laboral. La profesión médica se asoció al trabajo de alta exigencia (p<0,001); los enfermeros, técnicos en enfermería, profesionales de odontología, al trabajo activo (p<0,001); los odontólogos, a menor exigencia psicológica (p<0,001). Los profesionales con más de dieciséis años de graduados presentaron mejores condiciones para lidiar con los estresores que aquellos con menos de cinco años (p<0,03). La integración de datos demostró que la pandemia repercutió en la vida, el trabajo e interfaces con los síntomas psicológicos. CONCLUSIÓN: los profesionales trabajaron bajo altas exigencias psicológicas y alto riesgo de exposición al estrés durante la pandemia de COVID-19. El autocontrol y un alto apoyo social pueden contribuir a reducir estos riesgos, así como el tiempo de formación y la experiencia profesional.

Factors related to occupational stress among private sector dentists in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. / Fatores associados ao estresse ocupacional entre cirurgiões-dentistas do setor privado no primeiro ano da pandemia de COVID-19.

This cross-sectional study examined factors associated with occupational stress among 384 dentists working in the private sector in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Data were collected from August to October 2020 through an online form. Two outcomes - (1) anxiety and worry and (2) preparation and safety for work during the pandemic - constituted a proxy for occupational stress. The independent variables were grouped according to the explanatory theoretical model into individual, organisational and extra-organisational factors. Associations were tested by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Although prepared and confident, dentists felt anxious and worried about providing clinical care. Women, younger respondents and those who received no guidance on safety measures were more likely to report insecurity and unpreparedness. Younger professionals, those who did not participate in decision-making and who only sometimes had an assistant for four-hand work, were more likely to feel anxious and worried. In addition to individual factors, work organisation factors were associated with occupational stress among dentists in the first year of the pandemic.

O objetivo deste estudo transversal foi analisar os fatores associados ao estresse ocupacional entre cirurgiões-dentistas atuantes no setor privado no primeiro ano da pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil. Incluiu 384 profissionais do estado do Paraná, cujos dados foram obtidos entre agosto e outubro de 2020 por meio de formulário online. Dois desfechos compuseram proxy de estresse ocupacional: (1) ansiedade e preocupação e (2) preparo e segurança para o trabalho durante a pandemia. As variáveis independentes foram agrupadas segundo modelo teórico explicativo em fatores individuais, organizacionais e extraorganizacionais. As associações foram testadas por regressão logística bi e multivariada. Apesar de preparados e seguros, os profissionais se sentiam ansiosos e preocupados para o atendimento clínico. Mulheres, mais jovens e que não receberam orientações sobre as medidas de segurança apresentaram maiores chances de relatar insegurança e despreparo. Profissionais mais jovens, que não participavam da tomada de decisões e que às vezes dispunham de auxiliar para o trabalho a quatro mãos, tiveram maiores chances de se sentirem ansiosos e preocupados. Além dos fatores individuais, fatores organizacionais do trabalho estão associados ao estresse ocupacional entre cirurgiões-dentistas no primeiro ano da pandemia.

Better Work Ability Is Associated With Lower Levels of Both Occupational Stress and Occupational Physical Activity in Professional Drivers: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the association of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, work organization, and professional profile with work ability in professional drivers. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 449 drivers in Curitiba, Paraná (Brazil). Participants were assessed regarding their work ability (Work Ability Index [WAI]), sociodemographic, lifestyle (physical activity [Baecke's questionnaire] and stress [Work Stress Scale]), work organization, and professional profile using self-completion instruments. The association of WAI with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, work organization, and professional profile was determined by multivariable ordinal logistic regression models. RESULTS: Lifestyle factors best explained the WAI variability. The WAI was inversely associated with stress and occupational physical activities but directly associated with leisure activities and locomotion and leisure-time physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Our data also challenge the concept that sociodemographic information and ergonomics organization influence determining the work ability of this population.

Professional quality of life and occupational stress in nursing workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the levels of professional quality of life and the occupational stress in nursing professionals. METHOD: Cross sectional study conducted between April and August 2020, with nursing professionals working in inpatient units for clinical and surgical patients of a large hospital. The Work Stress Scale and the Professional Quality of Life Scale were applied. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 150 professionals, with a mean age of 43 ± 8.89 years, being 84.7% (127) female. The mean of the work stress scale was 1.9 (± 0.71), a moderate level of stress. It was found that compassion satisfaction had a median of 50.3 (9.1 - 64.6), burnout of 48.5 (32.2 - 84.8) and post-traumatic stress disorder of 47.1 (38.6 - 98.3). CONCLUSION: Stress at work and Compassion Fatigue were identified in the sample, especially in secondary-level professionals, demonstrating the need to implement strategies to reduce psycho-emotional harm in these professionals.

The Effects of Workplace Stressors on Dietary Patterns among Workers at a Private Hospital in Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil: A Longitudinal Study before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Working in a hospital environment is known for presenting unhealthy features that affect the workers' health-features which have currently been intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, this longitudinal study aimed to ascertain the level of job stress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, how this changed, and its association with the dietary patterns of hospital workers. Data on sociodemographic, occupational, lifestyle, health, anthropometric, dietetic, and occupational stress were collected before and during the pandemic from 218 workers at a private hospital in the Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil. McNemar's chi-square test was used for comparison purposes, Exploratory Factor Analysis to identify dietary patterns, and Generalized Estimating Equations to evaluate the interested associations. During the pandemic, participants reported increased occupational stress, shift work, and weekly workloads, compared with before the pandemic. Additionally, three dietary patterns were identified before and during the pandemic. No association was observed between changes in occupational stress and dietary pattens. However, COVID-19 infection was related to changes in pattern A (0.647, IC95%0.044;1.241, p = 0.036) and the amount of shift work related to changes in pattern B, (0.612, IC95%0.016;1.207, p = 0.044). These findings support calls to strengthen labour policies to ensure adequate working conditions for hospital workers in the pandemic context.

Association between occupational stress, work shift and health outcomes in hospital workers of the Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil: the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this study was to ascertain the level of occupational stress before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, how it changed and its association with health outcomes of hospital workers in the Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil. A longitudinal study was conducted with 218 hospital workers over 18 years old. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting sociodemographic, occupational, lifestyle, anthropometric and health data. The main exposures were occupational stress, assessed through Job Content Questionnaire and classified according to the Demand-Control Model and reported shift work. Health outcomes considered were nutritional status assessed by BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage, health self-perception and cardiovascular risk factors. We used McNemar χ2 or Wilcoxon tests to compare the levels of exposure and outcome variables before and during the pandemic, and OR to evaluate associations between changes in occupational stress and shift work with health outcomes. During the pandemic, participants reported increased occupational stress and shift work and lower self-perceived health and had higher BMI and cardiovascular risk factors, compared with before the pandemic. No association was observed between change in occupational stress and health outcomes. However, increased amount of shift work was related to increased BMI in the overall sample (OR 3·79, 95 % CI (1·40, 10·30)) and in health workers (OR 11·56; 95 % CI (2·57, 52·00)). These findings support calls to strengthen labour policies to ensure adequate working conditions for hospital workers in context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relationship between alcohol consumption, stress, and depression in Ecuadorian workers: the moderating role of social support and sex.

This paper aims to analyze the association between alcohol consumption, work stress, and depression and the moderating effect of social support and sex in this relationship. In a sample of workers from an electric generation industry from Ecuador (N = 99), hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to test the direct and moderation effects. Results show that alcohol consumption is positively associated with work stress and depression; social support moderates alcohol consumption's impact on depression but not on stress. This interaction effect is different according to sex. Further, an increase in alcohol consumption is associated with higher stress in women but not in men, and it relates to higher depression in men but not in women. Finally, we discuss the role of sex and social support as key factors to cope with the adverse effects of alcohol on well-being at work.

Estresse ocupacional em nutricionistas atuantes na área de alimentação coletiva / Occupational stress in nutritionists working in the área of colletctive food / Estrés laboral em nutricionistas que trabajan em el área de alimentación colectiva

Objetivo: identificar o nível de estresse ocupacional de nutricionistas atuantes na alimentação coletiva. Método: estudo transversal e quantitativo realizado com nutricionistas da área de alimentação coletiva, de ambos os sexos. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da aplicação de questionário online, auto preenchido pelo voluntário. Resultados: verificou-se nível moderado e alto de estresse nos nutricionistas estudados. Esses resultados são preocupantes, sendo necessário ações aliadas a programas de prevenção. Os principais estressores são: deficiência nos treinamentos e pouca perspectiva de crescimento na carreira. A variável estresse apresentou associação estatística com as variáveis filhos (p=0,0152) e renda mensal (p=0,0387). Conclusão: torna-se fundamental consolidar ações de intervenções visando prevenir e minimizar tal resultado, por meio de ações de orientação no processo de formação ao ingressar na organização bem como no desenvolvimento de habilidades de enfrentamento.

Objective: to identify the level of occupational stress of nutritionists working in collective feeding. Method: cross-sectional and quantitative study carried out with nutritionists in the área of collective feeding, of both sex. Data were obtained through the application of an online questionnaire, self-completed by the volunteer. Results: moderate and high levels of stress were found in the nutritionists studied. These results are worrying, requiring actions combined with prevention programs. The main stressors are: deficiency in training and little prospecto f career growth. The stress variable showed a statistical association with the child variables (p=0.0152) and monthly income (p=0.0387). Conclusion: it becomes essential to consolidate intervention actions aimed at preventing and minimizing this result, through guidance actions in the training process when joining the organization as well as in the development of coping skills.

Objetivo: identificar el nivel de estrés laboral de nutricionistas que trabajan en alimentación colectiva. Método: estudio transversal y cuantitativo realizado con nutricionistas del área de alimentación colectiva, de ambos sexos. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario em línea, autocompletado por el voluntario. Resultados: se encontraron niveles moderados y altos de estrés em los nutricionistas estudiados. Estos resultados son preocupantes, requiriendo acciones combinadas con programas de prevención. Los principales factores de estrés son: deficiencia em la formación y pocas perspectivas de crecimiento profesional. La variable estrés mostro asociación estadística com las variables hijo (p=0,0152) e ingresso mensual (p=0,0387). Conclusión: se hace imprescindible consolidar acciones de intervención encaminadas a prevenir y minimizar este resultado, a través de acciones de orientación en el proceso de formación al ingresso a la organización así como em el desarrollo de habilidades de afrontamiento.

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.

Association between job stress and quality of life in nutritionists working in public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Occupational stress has been the object of research in different populations. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between psychosocial job stress and quality of life of nutritionists working in public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cross-sectional study in public hospitals with nutritionists working as civil servants and CLT. Psychosocial job stress was assessed through the Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed through the WHOQOL-Bref. The outcome was modeled by means of multiple linear regression and adjusted by covariates. Job demands were inversely associated with quality of life in the physical and environment domains. Job control was directly associated with quality of life in the psychological domain. High strain, in comparison to low strain, was inversely associated with quality of life in the physical and psychological domains. Social support was directly associated with all fields of quality of life domains. Psychosocial job stress, as expressed by psychological job demands and job control, affects self-assessed quality of life, especially in the physical domain.

Contributing factors for acute stress in healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador.

This study analyzed the frequency and intensity of acute stress among health professionals caring for COVID-19 patients in four Latin American Spanish-speaking countries during the outbreak. A cross-sectional study involved a non-probability sample of healthcare professionals in four Latin American countries. Participants from each country were invited using a platform and mobile application designed for this study. Hospital and primary care workers from different services caring for COVID-19 patients were included. The EASE Scale (SARS-CoV-2 Emotional Overload Scale, in Spanish named Escala Auto-aplicada de Sobrecarga Emocional) was a previously validated measure of acute stress. EASE scores were described overall by age, sex, work area, and experience of being ill with COVID-19. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, the EASE scores were compared according to the most critical moments of the pandemic. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to investigate associations between these factors and the outcome 'acute stress'. Finally, the Kruskal-Wallis was used to compare EASE scores and the experience of being ill. A total of 1372 professionals responded to all the items in the EASE scale: 375 (27.3%) Argentines, 365 (26.6%) Colombians, 345 (25.1%) Chileans, 209 (15.2%) Ecuadorians, and 78 (5.7%) from other countries. 27% of providers suffered middle-higher acute stress due to the outbreak. Worse results were observed in moments of peak incidence of cases (14.3 ± 5.3 vs. 6.9 ± 1.7, p < 0.05). Higher scores were found in professionals in COVID-19 critical care (13 ± 1.2) than those in non-COVID-19 areas (10.7 ± 1.9) (p = 0.03). Distress was higher among professionals who were COVID-19 patients (11.7 ± 1) or had doubts about their potential infection (12 ± 1.2) compared to those not infected (9.5 ± 0.7) (p = 0.001). Around one-third of the professionals experienced acute stress, increasing in intensity as the incidence of COVID-19 increased and as they became infected or in doubt whether they were infected. EASE scale could be a valuable asset for monitoring acute stress levels among health professionals in Latin America.ClinicalTrials: NCT04486404.

Stressful work in primary health care and mental health: The role of gender inequities in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to analyze the association between occupational stressors, evaluated by the Effort-Reward Imbalance Model (ERI), and the occurrence of common mental disorders (CMD) among healthcare workers (HCW), additionally considering mediation by over-commitment from work (OW) and mediation of gender effects by work stressors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, including a random sample of 3343 HCWs, from six municipalities of Bahia, Brazil. The ERI scale measured the occupational stressors (main exposure), and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to screen for CMD. Data analysis used Structural Equation Modeling techniques to understand the relationships between gender, occupational stressors, and the occurrence of CMD. RESULTS: ERI and OW were associated with CMD. OW mediated the negative effect of ERI on the mental health of HCW. Female workers had higher levels of ERI, OW, and CMD prevalence; the total gender effect on CMD prevalence was mediated by ERI and OW. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the association of work psychosocial stressors and CMD among HCW, including partial mediation by OW. Gender inequalities persisted among HCW, with women most exposed to occupational stressors and CMD. ERI and OW partially mediated the effect of gender on CMD.

COVID-19 and the occupational stress experienced by health professionals in the hospital context: integrative review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze Brazilian and international scientific publications about the stress experienced by health professionals in the hospital context during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Integrative literature review carried out on the SciELO, ScienceDirect, and LILACS databases, and sources of official Brazilian institutions, with documents published by May 2020. RESULTS: Of the 26 selected references, 19 (73.08%) were indexed articles, and 7 (26.92 %) were obtained from official institutions. The study found that stress is mainly due to the overload of hospital services, the removal of professionals, the insufficiency of personal protective equipment and strict biosecurity measures, challenges in the allocation of available resources, and the risk of contamination by COVID-19. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The stress experienced by health professionals in hospital institutions during the pandemic can trigger occupational and psychological problems.

Work-related stress among physiotherapists from the musculoskeletal area: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Stress is a consequence of or a general reaction to an action or situation that leads to physical, psychological or both demands on a person, which can cause major disabilities in different aspects of life. This study verified the presence and stress phase of physiotherapists in the musculoskeletal area, identifying the factors associated with stress. METHOD: Presence and phase of stress were assessed using the Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults, and sociodemographic, work, and subjective data through a structured questionnaire designed by the authors. RESULTS: 91 physiotherapists from 219 presented stress (41.55%). The presence of stress was associated to the workplace (p = 0.006, x2 = 20.01), number of patients per week (p = 0.023, x2 = 7.55), weekly working hours (p = 0.023, x2 = 7.56), and the perception of the work influenced their personal life (p < 0.001, x2 = 14.81). 56.04% of the physiotherapists were in the resistance phase. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of the physiotherapists showed signs of stress. Moreover, workplace, number of working hours, number of patients per week and the perception of the influence of work on personal life were important aspects to stress.