Mental Disorders and Treatment

The Square of Perceived Action Model as a Tool for Identification,Prevention and Treatment of Factors Deteriorating Mental Health at Work

Abstract

Fauquet-Alekhine PH and Rouillac L

Studies and surveys undertaken by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work indicate an “increasing number of workers exposed to psychosocial risks at work and affected by work-related stress” affecting mental health. Any innovative methods for psychosocial risk assessment at work are thus welcome. On the basis of the Square of Perceived Action model elaborated regarding competencies in action for work activities integrated in a psychodynamic approach, a protocol was developed and applied in a French company for psychosocial risk assessment regarding 35 professions and focusing on difficulties related to skill discretion. Four illustrating cases, the insight of the in-depth analysis for one profession and a macro-approach taking all the professions into account were considered. Beyond the characterization of the psychosocial risks and the orientation regarding remedial measures implemented, the method enabled analysts to objectify and quantify the risks and helped them to center the remedial measures on the right target or to better assess the degree of emergency of remedial measures. These results also showed that the method is exhaustive for psychosocial risk assessment provided that it is combined with other tools. Benefits and limits of this innovative method are discussed.