Mental health, tiredness, family and marriage on Covid years the case of a labor court in Brazil

Abstract

Context: A transforming society presents challenges for understanding family responsibilities and their relation to work, especially with demographic and lifestyle changes. Objective: This study aims to empirically assess the null impact of marriage on the variable fatigue – an expression of mental health – within the context of Convention 156 of the International Labour Organization (ILO), using data from the Mental Health Monitoring Panel of the National Justice Council (CNJ), with a focus on the Regional Labor Court of the 3rd Region, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Method: The methodology involves comparing the legal framework, conventional norms, and empirical evidence from judiciary occupants in the years 2020 and 2021. Results: Evidence from the study reveals that married judges report, in lower proportions, higher levels of fatigue compared to single judges. Additionally, it is observed that single judges often take on responsibilities unrelated to the traditional family structure, such as elderly care. Conclusion: The study concludes that it is not possible to assert that family structure, specifically marriage, has a null or neutral impact on the experience of fatigue and mental health. The evidence from this study suggests that marriage reduces reported fatigue, indicating a beneficial effect; however, there are limitations in extrapolating the conclusions from the investigated case, and further studies on the topic in other organizations are desirable.