Psychosocial risk factors in university workers: A comparative study before and during COVID-19 / Factores de riesgo psicosocial en trabajadores universitarios: un estudio comparativo antes y durante el COVID-19

Resumen En el 2018, se publicó, en el Diario Oficial de la Federación, la Norma 035 que evalúa los factores de riesgo psicosocial (FRP) en los trabajadores mexicanos para promover su bienestar laboral. En 2020, en México, el COVID-19 cambió el estilo de trabajo de universidades y empresas, por lo que su análisis es interesante. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los FRP en trabajadores de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, en dos condiciones: oficina y teletrabajo, e identificar la relación entre el género y la modalidad laboral con el riesgo psicosocial. Para ello, el instrumento se aplicó a través de dos modalidades, en entorno de oficina, en noviembre 2019, previo a la pandemia COVID-19, y en trabajo a distancia, en junio 2020, a inicio del distanciamiento social. Los resultados reflejaron que desempeñar tareas en el entorno de oficina provocó un riesgo psicosocial general alto, mientras que en teletrabajo un riesgo general medio, de acuerdo con la NOM-035. Sin embargo, el análisis estadístico no mostró una diferencia significativa (P < 0.05) de riesgo general entre ambos ambientes laborales, ni en la comparativa del riesgo entre géneros. No obstante, en el análisis de las categorías y dominios que integran el riesgo psicosocial, se encontró diferencia (P < 0.05) entre algunos de ellos. Los hombres presentaron mayor riesgo en oficina en la categoría de liderazgo y relaciones laborales, que disminuyó (P < 0.05) por efecto del teletrabajo. La presencia del riesgo psicosocial que reportaron algunos de los trabajadores en diferentes categorías y dominios, indica la necesidad de implementar políticas que reduzcan estos riesgos, considerando tanto la modalidad laboral como el género. Esto permitirá además de cumplir con la NOM-035, mejorar la calidad de vida laboral de los trabajadores.

Abstract In 2018, standard 035 (known in Spanish as NOM-035-STPS-2018) was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation. Such standard evaluates Psychosocial Risk Factors (PRF) in Mexican workers to promote their job well-being. In 2020, COVID-19 changed the work practices ofuniversities and companies in Mexico. Therefore, their analysis is timely and relevant. The objective of this study was to compare the PRFs among workers at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in two conditions: pre-pandemic office and home office during social distancing due to COVID-19, and to identify the relationship between gender and modality with the psychosocial risk. Consequently, the instrument was administered through two modalities, one test was administered in the office environment in November 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the other in remote work in June 2020, at the beginning of social distancing. The results showed that performing tasks in the office environment generates a high general psychosocial risk, while home office is a medium general risk, according to NOM-035. However, the statistical analysis did not show a significant difference (P < 0.05) in general risk between both work contexts, nor in the comparison of risk between genders. Nonetheless, in the analysis of the categories and domains that make up psychosocial risk, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between some of them. Men presented a higher risk in the office in the category of leadership and job relations, which decreased (P < 0.05) due to the effect of home office. The presence of psycho-social risk reported by some of the workers in different categories and domains indicated the need to implement policies that reduce these risks, considering both work modality and gender. This will allow, in addition to complying with NOM-035, to improve the quality of the job well-being of workers.

Comparative analysis of positive mental health between men and women university students under COVID-19 social isolation

The main objective of this research study is to conduct a comparative analysis of positive mental health between men and women university students isolated due to COVID-19. Positive mental health is reviewed theoretically, including its associated measurement factors. Basic concepts of discriminant analysis are examined. Discriminant analysis is applied to assess significant differences between 337 men and women university students by using the Lluch’s Positive Mental Health scale, which measures the following factors: pro-social attitude, autonomy, self-control, personal satisfaction, problem solving, and interpersonal relationships. The results show that pro-social attitude, self-control, and problem-solving are significant factors for positive mental health of male and female university students. In conclusion, these findings can be used to prioritize intervention factors in programs or processes to improve psychosocial conditions of a given population in educational contexts. © 2022