IMPLICATIONS OF WORK PSYCHODYNAMICS ON THE LIBRARIAN'S PERFORMANCE:

PRACTICAL CONNECTIONS WITH EVERYDAY PROFESSIONAL LIFE

Abstract

Psychodynamics of Work, a theoretical approach developed by Christophe Dejours that seeks to understand the psychological effects of work in terms of suffering, pleasure, recognition, and professional identity. The qualitative research was based on a literature review of 38 articles published between 2019 and 2024, aiming to map librarians' work context, their subjective experiences, and the implications for their mental health.

The analysis was structured into three main categories. The first, "psychological suffering in the exercise of the profession," reveals that librarians face work overload, low recognition, conflicts between training and practice, and institutional invisibility. The precariousness of work, especially in the public sector, and gender inequalities exacerbate the situation, favoring burnout, anxiety, and demotivation. Even with strategies such as continuing education, suffering persists when there is no institutional support.

The second category, "pleasure at work and professional fulfillment," highlights positive experiences associated with reading mediation, cultural projects, and educational initiatives. In these practices, librarians experience autonomy, creativity, and social recognition, which contribute to strengthening the meaning of work and preserving mental health. However, without institutional support and recognition, these activities can also become sources of burnout.

The third category addresses "professional recognition and identity," highlighting librarians' struggle for symbolic recognition and belonging. Participation in professional associations, social projects, and actions aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda emerge as forms of resistance and identity reaffirmation. Recognition, according to Dejours, is an essential element in transforming suffering into pleasure and consolidating professional identity.

The study concludes that librarians' work is marked by tensions between technique, service, and knowledge mediation, requiring recognition of the subjective dimensions of work. Work Psychodynamics offers a sensitive lens for understanding these ambivalences, highlighting the need for listening, appreciation, and training policies that promote healthier, more humane, and meaningful environments.