Teaching work and Covid-19: review of scientific production on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of faculty members

Abstract

The social distancing necessary to combat the Covid-19 pandemic demanded the interruption of in-person classes and the adoption of remote teaching, which resulted in significant changes to teaching. Based on the history documented in the literature related to the high prevalence of mental health problems among male and female teachers and their possible worsening during the pandemic period, this study aimed to review scientific production about the repercussions of work on the mental health of faculty members during the Covid-19 pandemic. A literature review was carried out using the Capes Periodicals Portal. Of the 453 publications found, 13 articles were selected that simultaneously met all the inclusion criteria adopted. Several outcomes related to the mental health of teachers were identified, among which anxiety was most frequent, with six occurrences (prevalence between 30.3 and 89.7%). Stress was identified in five studies (prevalence between 24.1 and 76.0%). Symptoms of depression appeared in two articles (prevalence of 50.0% and 65.5%). Burnout Syndrome was also recorded in two surveys (prevalence of 41.0% and 58.3%). Among the factors associated with the outcomes, difficulties related to the adoption of technological tools necessary in the transition from face-to-face teaching to remote teaching stood out.