Coping ocupacional e bem-estar no trabalho em profissionais de UTI

Abstract

Work contexts marked by the presence of varied demands, such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), require investigations into how professionals face these demands and the impacts of this coping on their well-being. In this sense, this thesis aimed to identify the relationships between the coping strategies used by professionals in intensive care units (ICUs) and the indicators of well-being at work (WBW) considering the characteristics of the work (demands and resources) as well as the personal characteristics of professionals (personality traits). To achieve this objective, three studies were developed. Study 1, carried out through a literature scope review, pointed to the importance of considering not only the demands (stressors), but also the resources available in the work context for a better understanding of the relationship between coping and well-being in this context. Study 2, based on a qualitative approach to analyzing data, obtained through semi-structured interviews carried out with 35 ICU professionals, identified demands inherent to the work (for example, severity of the patient's condition) and resources linked to social support - instrumental, informational and/or organizational (e.g., informational support) as relevant characteristics in this context; it had could also identify a greater frequency in the use of control coping and, predominantly, an experience of WBW (positive affects) among professionals. Study 3, carried out through a quantitative survey (n = 157), found that, in general, problem-focused coping contributes to well-being at work, except among professionals with a high level of the neuroticism trait; this type of coping interacted with the traits conscientiousness (in a positive way) and neuroticism (in a negative way) in their relations with BET; it was also observed that emotion-focused coping and avoidant coping harm well-being; demonstration analyzes pointed to the importance of offering autonomy and social support resources as well as low exposure to the demands of role overload and pressure of responsibility for a greater experience of WBW among ICU professionals; however, these characteristics did not interact with coping in its relations with WBW. Together, these studies made it possible to advance the theoretical understanding of well-being in the work context by presenting the alternative relationships with coping, work characteristics and personal characteristics in ICU professionals, who are exposed to various stressors. This understanding can support interventions that contribute to the well-being of workers and reflect on improving patient care. Limitations and suggestions for future studies are specifically presented in studies 1, 2 and 3.