Reflection on the psychological suffering of elementary school teachers: the perspective of psychodynamics of work

Female elementary school teachers are suffering from psychic distress, as they experience various mental health problems due to the attributes of the profession and the accumulation of domestic activities. Objective: to reflect on the contributions of the Psychodynamics of Work to the psychological suffering of elementary school teachers. Methodology: theoretical reflection focusing on the convergences and specificities of Dejours' and Molinier's Psychodynamics of Work, and their contributions to the psychological suffering of female teachers. Results: Because they experience different experiences from men in the workplace, such as: an overload of activities, weaknesses in job and salary plans, school failure and demands with a high affective load, female teachers can suffer negative impacts on their mental health, leading to psychological distress. Conclusion: It is necessary to reflect on the condition of psychological distress among female teachers, taking into account the specificities of daily teaching, the socio-historical context and the adversities of women's work, motivating initiatives to create collective discussion spaces, support networks and public policies to minimize suffering and prevent future illnesses.