THE CHALLENGES OF WORKING CONDITIONS ON THE EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF 2ND GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of working conditions on the emotional health of second-grade elementary school teachers in the early years of schooling, considering the challenges faced in daily school life and their impacts on professional performance and psychological well-being. It starts from the understanding that this problem is not recent, but for a long time it was little discussed and frequently neglected in the educational context. Given the ever-increasing demands placed on the teaching profession, it is observed that many teachers feel frustrated, emotionally overwhelmed, and helpless, especially due to the lack of psychological and institutional support. Furthermore, the constant demands related to school performance, pedagogical planning, administrative demands, and responsibility for student development contribute significantly to the emotional strain on these professionals, potentially leading to demotivation and a desire to abandon their careers. Regarding methodology, the research is characterized as qualitative, developed through semi-structured interviews conducted with two teachers, identified as P1 and P2, working in a municipal school in the city of Ribeirão. This study is theoretically grounded in the contributions of Esteve (1999), Bruning (2010), and Oliveira (2006), authors who discuss aspects related to teacher illness, work overload, and emotional health in the school environment. The results show that this overload, excessive demands, and lack of emotional support negatively impact teachers' mental health, favoring stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and reduced motivation in teaching. Therefore, it is concluded that the implementation of strategies for psychological support and monitoring of teachers is necessary, aiming to promote better working conditions, quality of life, and emotional strengthening to cope with demands that extend beyond the classroom.