MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR: THE IMPACT OF WORK AND OCCUPATIONAL STRESS ON MEN'S HEALTH - A NURSING PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health is an essential aspect for an individual's well-being, but it can be compromised by social and occupational factors. Among men, this impact tends to be greater due to cultural stigmas that hinder care and the search for help. Work overload, professional devaluation, and low wages intensify occupational stress, favoring psychological disorders and harmful behaviors, such as violence. Therefore, it is necessary to have monitoring by health professionals in the workplace in order to contribute to the reduction of mental health risks for workers. GUIDING QUESTION: What are the main consequences of occupational stress on men's mental health, and what is the role of nursing professionals? METHODOLOGY: The study was developed through an integrative literature review on mental health and the impact of occupational stress on men's lives. The research followed methodological steps that included defining the guiding question, searching for articles in the BVS, SciELO, and Lilacs databases, using specific descriptors, and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles published in the last five years, in Portuguese, and freely available will be considered. Data collection took place between march and april 2026, and, as this is a review, it was not submitted to the Ethics Committee, although ethical and bioethical principles were respected. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The studies analyzed show that many men still prioritize masculinity patterns and the provider role to the detriment of self-care, which reduces the search for health services and hinders the early diagnosis of diseases. This increases vulnerability to physical and mental illness throughout life. Despite this, self-care and policies such as the National Policy for Comprehensive Men's Health Care (PNAISH) contribute to the prevention and improvement of men's quality of life. However, cultural barriers, low adherence, and weaknesses in the application of these policies, especially in primary care, still exist. Thus, the need for broader and educational actions to encourage comprehensive men's care is reinforced. CONCLUSION: The social construction of masculinity still negatively influences men's self-care, leading to neglect of their own health. The emphasis on traditional roles and cultural stigmas hinders access to healthcare services, increasing physical and mental health risks, especially with aging. Although public policies aimed at men's health exist, there are still flaws in their implementation and low adherence among this population. Therefore, it is necessary to promote cultural and educational changes from childhood to encourage self-care. It is also essential to expand health strategies that consider the physical and emotional aspects of men holistically.