Resumen

The experience of being a public safety worker: Subjectivities and reflexivity on the risks and stress at work and at the daily life Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the subjectivities and reflexivity on the experiences, risks and stress factors associated with the work and daily life of municipal public safety workers. Methods: The participants were 20 men and 10 women, Mexican public safety agents, from 20 to 45 years old. Through the analysis of the life histories, the categories of interpretation of risks and stress at work and within the social-family contexts were structured, these allowed to recognize the reflexivity and meanings of the participants, from a subjective approach. Results: In the context of their work the main sources of stress were: the low wage earned; the feeble lawfulness of their life insurance; their schedules and heavy workloads; the dangers and threats specific to their roles; and the power relationships. The majority reported symptoms of physical and emotional exhaustion, and low self-esteem related to their accomplishments at work. In the social and family environment the main sources of stress were: the socioeconomic circumstances and the problems with family functionality related to the work itself. The major concern of these workers was the security of their families: The risk is always present because that’s our job, but what worries me the most is my family, in case I die. The life insurance wouldn’t be enough at all (public safety worker, 32 years old). Discussion: The reflexivity in these individuals works as a regulatory mechanism of the risk and stress in sight of the job insecurity and the fragile supports of confidence in abstract institutions.

Palabras clave: Public safety workers risks stress reflexivity.

2012-07-24   |   630 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 4 Núm.10. Enero 2012 Pags. 16-17 REMESAT 2012; 4(10)