THE IMPACT OF CHRONIC DISTRESS ON UNIVERSITY LECTURERS AND THEIR PROFESSIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/health-2025.4.7Keywords:
chronic distress, professional burnout, psycho-emotional strain, university lecturers, psychological support, emotional exhaustion, academic environment.Abstract
Scientific and pedagogical activity is one of the key factors in the development of science, education, and society; however, it is accompanied by significant psycho-emotional strain that can lead to the development of chronic distress. This article examines the phenomenon of distress among university lecturers, its main causes, consequences, and impact on professional effectiveness. A systematic analysis of scientific publications devoted to the relationship between stress levels, psycho-emotional state, and the effectiveness of academic and teaching activities was conducted. The study found that the main stressors include work overload, time constraints, insufficient funding, evaluative pressure, bureaucratization, and lack of social support. Chronic distress leads to a decrease in cognitive functions, creativity, motivation, and social interaction, which ultimately affects the quality of the educational process. From a physiological perspective, it is associated with elevated cortisol levels, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular disorders, and weakened immune function. The psychological consequences include emotional exhaustion, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and burnout, which may cause loss of professional interest and detachment from work. The Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model explains that under high job demands and insufficient resources, the risk of distress increases, while the availability of support, flexible working conditions, and self-regulation opportunities reduces its impact. The article emphasizes the need to establish psychological support systems within universities, implement burnout prevention programs, and foster emotional intelligence and cognitive reappraisal strategies as key mechanisms for maintaining the professional health of lecturers. Understanding the multidimensional impact of distress will contribute to the development of effective institutional policies aimed at enhancing psychological well-being and resilience within the academic environment.
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