Psychological Well-Being and Sociolaboral Characteristics in Judicial Power Professionals

Abstract

Recent reforms, based on productive managerialism, have intensified the exploitation of work in the judicial sectors, potentiating experiences of psychological malaise that demand research and interventions. This research outlined profiles of psychological well-being in legal professionals by identifying environmental protective factors and health risks. Seventy-two professionals participated (sample of 69.9%). The following instruments were applied: (a) General Health Questionnaire, (b) Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, (c) Affective Well-Being at Work Scale and (d) Work Conditions Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Shapiro Wilk test, Cluster analysis, Fisher Exact test and Mann-Whitney tests were performed. Two psychological well-being profiles were identified: Deficient and Balanced. The latter, more numerous, included more married professionals. The environmental category “socially valued position”, most abundantly perceived, stood out as a protective factor for BEP; and “support from the supervisor”, more deficiently perceived, stood out as a risk factor. The knowledge of these influential environmental characteristics of happiness and unhappiness at work should support actions that promote professional health.

Keywords: psychological well-being, ecological model,  judicial power.