Occupational stress, work engagement and coping strategies in Community Health Workers

Francielli Regini Carvalho de Faria; Luciano Garcia Lourenção; Albertina Gomes da Silva; Paula Canova Sodré; Jussara Rossi Castro; Márcio Andrade Borges; Cláudia Eli Gazetta

doi:10.15253/2175-6783.20212270815

Authors

Francielli Regini Carvalho de Faria Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4051-5853
Luciano Garcia Lourenção Universidade Federal do Rio Grande https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1240-4702
Albertina Gomes da Silva Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4813-7845
Paula Canova Sodré Secretaria Municipal de Saúde https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7549-9000
Jussara Rossi Castro Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2972-6687
Márcio Andrade Borges Universidade Federal do Rio Grande https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4597-2597
Cláudia Eli Gazetta Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2603-8803

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.20212270815

Keywords:

Primary Health Care; Community Health Workers; Work Engagement; Occupational Stress; Adaptation, Psychological.

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the levels of occupational stress, work engagement, and coping strategies among community health workers. Methods: cross-sectional study with 133 Community Health Workers. We used a questionnaire with socioeconomic and professional variables, the Work Stress Scale, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and the Coping Modes Scale. Results: The mean occupational stress score was 2.7. Work engagement levels were high for dedication (4.0), vigor (4.3), and overall score (4.0). Problem-focused coping modes (3.9; ±0.6) and based on religious practices and fantasy thinking (3.4; ±0.7) stood out. Conclusion: there is a high percentage of professionals with significant occupational stress. The levels of work engagement were medium for absorption and high for dedication, vigor, and overall score. The coping strategies are focused on problem solving, religious practices and fanciful thoughts of positive character.

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