Estrategias de afrontamiento frente a situaciones de estrés laboral en mujeres recicladoras carnetizadas por la EMAC-EP de la ciudad de Cuenca, durante el periodo 2021

Abstract

This research is based on the reality of the informal work of people engaged in recycling since waste pickers as a whole are exposed to precarious work situations, violence, and social stigmatization that cause work stress. This is more evident in women recyclers who, in addition to the activities of their work, are attributed household chores. However, stress is an intrinsic characteristic of the human being, so the focus is on how the person copes with these stressful situations. Therefore, the general objective of the research was to understand how the coping strategies employed by women recyclers are manifested when faced with situations of work stress. In order to respond to this aim, a methodology with a qualitative approach was carried out, under a phenomenological perspective, with a descriptive-transversal scope. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection techniques. These techniques were applied to 7 women recyclers carded by EMAC-EP who formed the study group selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, the research results indicate that there is a greater predominance of emotionfocused strategies within the categories of positive reinterpretation, avoidance and support in religion in women recyclers. Which have been manifested as an emotional regulator, a form of adaptation and a mediator of interpersonal relationships in the face of factors that cause work stress such as: gender roles, insecurity and work overload and group conflicts. In conclusion, the strategies used don’t manifest as maladaptive, since women don’t experience a significant imbalance in their physical, physical and emotional well-being.