PLEASURE AND SUFFERING AT WORK

A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN YOUNG AND EXPERIENCED NURSES

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze how the dimensions of pleasure and suffering are configured in the work of nurses, considering generational differences and the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Based on the theoretical approach of Pleasure and Suffering at Work by Mendes and Ferreira (2007), a descriptive, quantitative field research was carried out. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE 46255521.1.0000.5020, opinion 4710982). The sample had 141 questionnaires answered by young nurses (age <= 29 years) and 345 by experienced nurses (age >= 30 years), all of them working at Manaus (AM, Brasil). Data were analyzed based on univariate and bivariate statistical analysis and the results indicated higher percentages of respondents at critical levels for all variables of the four dimensions considered (context, costs, experiences and harm). Contradicting, in a way, the literature on generational differences, only one statistically significant difference was identified: young people showed more social harm than their experienced peers.