Estresse, estratégias de enfrentamento e suporte social percebido em tripulação de submarino operativo da Marinha do Brasil

Abstract

The acquisition of knowledge by Brazil for building and operating the Conventional Nuclear Propulsion Submarine, the maintenance of the psychophysical health of humans to occupy positions in such a specific environment has become more important. The issue of permanence at sea, an asset for the dissuasion and execution of Naval Power, shall bring about greater challenges for humans, which may represent one of the main limitations of the time spent on operation at sea. The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between coping with stress and the social support perceived by submariners in their performance on a voyage. Through a descriptive/ exploratory case study with a qualitative/quantitative approach, this research investigated the levels of stress, the main factors which bring it forward, the preferred coping strategies, and the levels of perceived social support. The results indicate that the material conditions were the main stress factor in the analysis period, with significant damage to the resting period, thus having an impact on sleep quality and physical discomfort. The perceived stress level was moderate and the ways of coping with it was focused on solving problems individually as well as a group. The social support, which was found at a very high level, was not among the main strategies for coping with stress, however, it confirmed its role as a moderator on the negative impact of stress. The study corroborated the importance of stress management in a systemic approach so that the Human Factor is included in decision-making in all hierarchical levels.