The Impact of Occupational Suffering on Military Police Officers in a Public Security Crisis Region: A Psychodynamic Approach to Work

Abstract This study investigates how working conditions impact the physical and psychological suffering of Military Police officers in Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, focusing on the role of occupational suffering in mental health distress. A quantitative field study was conducted with 61 active Military Police officers using a questionnaire based on Christophe Dejours’s Psychodynamics of Work theory. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests to identify associations between working conditions and health outcomes. Findings reveal that precarious working conditions, such as inadequate protective equipment, excessive workloads, and exposure to violence, contribute significantly to physical and psychological illnesses among officers. Anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms like chronic fatigue and circulatory problems were prevalent. The study demonstrated strong statistical links between work-related stressors and the need for medical care addressing physical, emotional, and psychological disorders. The escalating intensification and systemic precarization of police labor significantly amplify occupational suffering, precipitating deleterious physical and psychological health outcomes among Military Police officers. Urgent institutional interventions are imperative to enhance working conditions, bolster comprehensive support mechanisms, and foster mental well-being, thereby mitigating these adverse effects and promoting sustainable workforce resilience.