The relationship between work and mental health in temporary lecturers

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the relationship between work and mental health of temporary lecturers, taking into consideration the work conditions and organization at universities. The research had a qualitative approach being developed with 11 professors, who were working in two public universities. Data was collected through a semi-structured interview. After analyzing the interviews, it was found that the factors which most contributed to professors illness and suffering were related to the organization of work, and to the distribution of workload between staff and the temporary lecturers as well as to the low remuneration and the lack of autonomy in deciding matters regarding the execution of their activities. Due to low remuneration, many temporary lecturers end up taking up activities in other institutions (as a professor or not) to supplement personal and / or family income. This double (or triple) workload ends up impacting the health conditions of these workers, making them more prone to physical and mental illness. However, it was noticed that the fact of being in the classroom generates a sense of accomplishment in the temporary lecturers, being the main source of pleasure at work.