Health risk for university professors associated to occupational psychosocial risk factors

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify occupational psychosocial risk factors of academics from universities in Bogotá and establish if they are related with indicators of psychological distress. 302 professors from 21 universities in the city participate in the study. The results showed that job insecurity, excessive work demands, and high workload are the main psychosocial factors generating the stress of university professors. Those who perceive more demands and workload are also those who most report distress problems such as anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, and social maladjustment. The demands and work efforts are perceived as higher by the younger, assistant professors. The results of this study point out the need for universities to review their priorities and define how to make use of the potential of their main capital, the academics, without them being harmed by their efforts and commitment to the institutions.