There are no comprehensive epidemiological studies to determine the actual magnitude of Mental Disorders in the Brazilian population ( Aquino, 2012). These are reflected in the high rates of Mental Disorders, mainly anxiety and depression ( Carlotto, 2016 Gonçalves et al., 2014 Margis, Picon, Cosner & Silveira, 2003). Developing countries, such as Brazil, present a high prevalence of mental health conditions in primary health care. Keywords: anxiety depression stress empathy health professionalsĪmong the ten main causes of impairment in the world investigated by the World Health Organization (WHO), five are associated with Mental Disorders, notably depression (13%), followed by alcohol abuse (7%), affective disorders (3.3%), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (2.8%).
The paper discusses the need to be attentive for this specific relationship, considering its importance for professional practices of these workers, as well as for research on the field of Psychology of Health and other related fields. Overall, results suggest that empathy can be associated with the Mental Health of the BHP. Regression analysis indicated that the cognitive aspects of empathy can predict symptoms of depression.
Positive correlations among depression, anxiety and stress were found, as well as among anxiety, depression, personal distress and fantasy. Two hundred participants (87% women), aged 22 to 67 (M = 35.1 SD = 9.7) responded the Interpersonal Reactivity Index ( Davis, 1983), the Stress Symptoms Inventory ( Lipp, 2000), the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory.
The present study investigated the relationships among empathy, depression, anxiety, and stress among Brazilian Health Professionals (BHP).