O estresse psicológico no desempenho humano operacional de militares das Forças Armadas e Auxiliares: uma revisão sistemática.

Abstract

This Systematic Review aimed to summarize the stressors in the development of military activity and the evidence of the physical, psychological and occupational consequences of professional burnout in members of the Armed Forces and Auxiliary Forces. PubMed, Lilacs, Pepsic, Science Direct, PsycAPA, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHAL, SportDiscus and Cochrane Cochrane databases were searched in the period between December 1, 2021 and March 14, 2022, without language or data restriction.The guidelines for Writing Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed according to the PRISMA recommendation. Cross-sectional and cohort studies that analyzed psychological stress as an exposure condition were included. Of the 1,523 articles initially identified, 34 met the inclusion criteria and were assessed for risk of bias and methodological quality. In general, the prevalence of sociodemographic variables more associated with stress and loss of work productivity was found in younger military personnel, women, single, with children and with reduced or lower educational level. Of the stressors at work, hierarchical rigidity, decision-making processes, frequent transfers and secondments, insufficient staff, overload and long working hours with a high level of responsibility stand out. Higher levels of stress were found among soldiers of lower ranks and ranks. Conflict and role ambiguity were positively correlated with stress, as well as less length of service, little physical activity, and geographic distance from family members. The implications of stress at work were significantly related to decreased productivity and ability to meet deadlines, increased errors, accidents, absenteeism and conflict between colleagues and supervisors. Considering the implications of stress on physical health, problems in the digestive, nervous, musculoskeletal and integumentary systems, as well as repercussions on the senses of vision, hearing and speech were associated with psychological distress. The most prevalent psychological effects were insomnia, anxiety, somatic and depressive symptoms, social isolation, increased use of medication and health care.The limitations transcended the work environment and also impacted the social life of the military, with feelings of continuous duty and lack of understanding from family and friends about the activity. In conclusion, several high-quality studies have shown physical, psychological, and occupational consequences of burnout. The individual, social and work impacts of psychic illness highlight the need for preventive interventions and early identification of this health condition in the work environment of military organizations, as well as raising the need for robust, accurate and psychometrically sound research to assess operational performance, to contribute to greater military efficiency and productivity.