CARGA MENTAL DE TRABALHO E ESTRESSE OCUPACIONAL EM SERVIDORES DE UNIVERSIDADE PÚBLICA: ANÁLISE A PARTIR DE EQUAÇÕES ESTRUTURAIS

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between occupational stress and mental workload among public employees, using the subscales and items of the Subjective Mental Workload Scale (ESCAM) and the Job Stress Scale (JSS) as measurement instruments. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted from April to November 2022, involving 450 civil servants from a federal higher education institution in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Convenience sampling was used. Relationships between mental workload and occupational stress were statistically analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares estimation (PLS-SEM) via the SmartPLS® software, version 4.0.9.9. Results: The sample was predominantly female (65.30%), aged between 30 and 40 years (32.40%), and married (70%). Most participants reported adequate levels of mental workload (91.78%). Regarding occupational stress, high levels were observed in demands (53.11%), control (97.78%), and social support at work (95.78%). Systematic model evaluation revealed appropriate internal consistency and validity. Implications: The demand-control and social support model was found to be a strong predictor of subjective mental workload perception at work, forming a robust model that contributes to the body of knowledge in occupational health.