Abstract
This study aims to analyze the impact of social networks on higher education teachers’ health in Portugal. The accession to the Bologna process demanded the restructuring of higher education, giving a new meaning to the teacher's role. The practice of individual evaluation and structuring of a pyramid career stimulated the competition among teachers undermining the cooperation and recognition dynamics also weakening the networks betweens pairs. Using semi structured interviews, we were able to identify their perception and views as protagonists who are directly involved in educational networks. The analysis of the teachers' speech show that they have been seeking for support and emotional security in their families, friends outside of work and in pairs from other departments with successful experiences in network cooperation. This fact has enabled the construction and maintenance of social bonds that generate health, interaction, sympathy, well being and quality of life; social networks with preventive and health promoting aspects.
Keywords:
social network; social capital; teacher; psychodynamics of recognition; health promotion