An Overview of Female Researchers: Demands, Job Resources, and Mental Health Among Brazilian University Faculty

Mental health problems among university faculty have been increasingly associated with intensified work demands, with women being particularly vulnerable due to persistent gender inequalities in academic careers. This study examined the perceptions of women faculty members at Brazilian public universities regarding work demands, organizational resources, and institutional practices aimed at promoting mental health and gender equity, using the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model as its theoretical framework. A qualitative study was conducted with eight women faculty members from public universities across different regions of Brazil, aged between 36 and 56 years (M = 46.5, SD = 7.05), most of whom were in stable relationships and reported household incomes ranging from BRL 15,000 to BRL 30,000 per month. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s Thematic Analysis. The findings revealed that occupational overload is intensified by gender inequalities, particularly those associated with motherhood penalties and the invisibility of caregiving work. The study also identified a shortage of organizational resources and limited effectiveness of institutional policies, leading participants to rely primarily on peer support and individual coping strategies. Although the sample represented a relatively socioeconomically privileged group, the findings underscore the importance of adopting an intersectional perspective and highlight the need for future research involving more diverse social identities.