[The psychodynamic of work: object, epistemological considerations, concepts and theoretical premises].

This article describes the psychodynamic approach to work developed in the '70 in France by Christophe Dejours. It consists of an interdisciplinary approach that views the organization of work as both a source of pleasure and suffering as well as the origin of defensive strategies of individuals who strive to reconcile the demands of the workplace with personal efforts to protect their health. The psychodynamic approach is part of the comprehensive subjectivist paradigm based on a hermeneutic philosophy. The author's purpose is to make this approach more widely known by researchers who seek a better understanding of mental health problems that arise in the workplace.