Psychosocial risks factors among psychologists: What are we talking about?

Abstract

Mental health professionals, as psychologists, have a demanding and emotionally exhausting profession, which makes it susceptible to occupational risks, namely psychosocial risks. Three areas of psychology practice, Clinical and Health Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, and Education Psychology are expose to different working contexts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychosocial risks factors and their differences between the three psychology specialties. 339 psychologists participated in the study and results suggest significant differences in terms of high demands and work intensity, working hours, work and employment relations, ethical and values conflicts and work characteristics. In conclusion, this study allows a better understanding to provide strategies for preventing and reducing the incidence of psychosocial risks among psychologists.