University Research and Psychological Distress Among Academic Staff
Professors in Quebec universities are generally committed to their work. However, from 20 to 25% of them revealed having experienced psychological problems related to their work conditions. How can we identify the factors in a professional career that enhance or compromise mental health and commitment? How can we prevent mental health problems or cure them? To answer these questions and gain access to the experiences behind the available statistics, interviews were conducted with 18 groups of faculty members who accepted to lift the veil on their situations. The article presents a portion of the data emerging from this study, paying particular attention to research and its excesses. Fatigue, disillusion, and distress were experienced when the researchers had to conform to a single performance model and to the senseless productivity demands that are imposed on them.