PAIN IN TIMES OF COVID-19: ADJUSTMENT DISORDER IN BRAZILIAN HIGHER EDUCATION PROFESSORS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper presents the results of longitudinal research to identify professors’ adaptation and stress and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted cross-sectional, exploratory, quantitative, and qualitative fieldwork. We used three instruments (the International Adjustment Disorder Questionnaire to identify the adjustment disorder, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to measure the anxiety state, and the Teacher Stress Inventory to measure professors’ stress) and socio-biographical questions. We analyzed the data through descriptive statistics and logistic regression. We also included an open question for professors to express their feelings openly. We analyzed these testimonies through word clouds, and six were transformed into a video: https://youtu.be/N6q7iz09WWk. To obtain the data, we followed 129 professors for one year during the pandemic. We found that approximately 3 out of 4 professors in the sample experienced adjustment disorder during the data collection period, and 1 out of 2 professors had a high level of state anxiety. The following factors were associated with the probability of not being adapted to the pandemic: being a woman, being married, and having a negative perception of their daily lives after so many restrictions and risks. However, other factors could contribute to professors’ adjustment: years of teaching, a positive perception of their physical health, and the non-use of substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, medication, and others. Therefore, we identified the psychosocial vulnerability of professors during the pandemic. Consequently, we highlight the need to develop public and private policies to unequivocally contribute to these individuals’ adjustment, especially considering the negative repercussions this situation can have over the years.