Sintomas de depressão e estresse barram a criatividade de professores: estudo durante a pandemia

ObjectiveThis study sought to analyze wheter a correlation exists between symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and barriers to personal creativity among higher education professors, as well as to examine and discuss whether these negative symptoms predict barriers to creativity.MethodA total of 386 professors from higher education institutions in Brazil participated in the study, completing an online questionnaire at the end of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following instruments were used: Sociodemographic Data Questionnaire; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; and Inventory of Barriers to Personal Creativity.ResultsThe results showed that symptoms of depression and stress hinder the expression of creativity, with depression being particularly significant as it explained all barriers to creativity.ConclusionNegative symptoms interfere with the quality of life and well-being of professors, and consequently impact the work environment and the expression of creativity for problem-solving.