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Are symptoms of depression and anxiety in nursing students associated with their sociodemographic characteristics?

¿Los síntomas de depresión y ansiedad en estudiantes de enfermería están asociados a sus características sociodemográficas?

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to investigate symptoms of depression and anxiety and their association with the sociodemographic characteristics of undergraduate nursing students.

Methods:

a cross-sectional analytical study carried out with students from the Faculty of Nursing at Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora from June to July 019. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories.

Results:

192 students participated, with a mean age of 21.44 (±3.56) years. 85.93% of participants were female. The mean depression score was 22.40 (±12.35), and anxiety was 17.56 (±11.98). There was a difference in the mean of the scales for sex and psychotropic drugs (p<0.05). Women presented moderate and severe classification for both scales. Severe symptoms prevailed among students from the 6th to the 10th semester (18.22%).

Conclusion:

there was an association between depression and anxiety symptoms related to gender and psychotropic drugs.

Descriptors:
Students, Nursing; Mental Health; Depression; Anxiety; Mental Disorders

RESUMEN

Objetivo:

investigar los síntomas de la depresión y ansiedad y su asociación con las características sociodemográficas de los estudiantes de licenciatura en enfermería.

Métodos:

estudio analítico transversal, realizado con estudiantes de la Facultad de Enfermería de la Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, de junio a julio de 2019. Los datos se recolectaron mediante un cuestionario sociodemográfico e Inventario de Depresión y Ansiedad de Beck.

Resultados:

participaron 192 estudiantes con una edad promedio de 21,44 (±3,56) años. El sexo femenino representó el 85,93% de los participantes. La puntuación media de depresión fue 22,40 (±12,35) y la ansiedad fue 17,56 (±11,98). Hubo diferencia en la media de las escalas de sexo y psicofármacos (p<0,05). Las mujeres presentaron clasificación moderada y grave para ambas escalas. Los síntomas severos prevalecieron entre los estudiantes de sexto y décimo semestre (18,22%).

Conclusión:

hubo asociación entre síntomas de depresión y ansiedad relacionada con las variables sexo y psicofármacos.

Descriptores:
Estudiantes de Enfermería; Salud Mental; Depresión; Ansiedad; Trastornos Mentales

RESUMO

Objetivo:

investigar sintomas de depressão e ansiedade e sua associação com as características sociodemográficas de estudantes da graduação em enfermagem.

Métodos:

estudo transversal analítico, realizado com estudantes da Faculdade de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, de junho a julho de 2019. Os dados foram coletados por questionário sociodemográfico e pelos Inventários de Depressão e Ansiedade de Beck.

Resultados:

participaram 192 estudantes com idade média de 21,44 (±3,56) anos. O sexo feminino representou 85,93% dos participantes. A pontuação média de depressão foi 22,40 (±12,35), e ansiedade foi 17,56 (±11,98). Houve diferença na média das escalas para sexo e psicofármacos (p<0,05). Mulheres apresentaram classificação moderada e severa para as duas escalas. A sintomatologia severa prevaleceu entre alunos do 6º e 10º semestre (18,22%).

Conclusão:

houve associação entre sintomas de depressão e ansiedade relacionados às variáveis sexo e psicofármacos.

Descritores:
Estudantes de Enfermagem; Saúde Mental; Depressão; Ansiedade; Transtornos Mentais

INTRODUCTION

The end of adolescence and early adulthood is a phase marked by important transformations that signal a new cycle of possibilities, professional choice, financial independence and accountability for the acts of civil life(11 Cunningham S, Duffy A. Investing in our future: importance of postsecondary student mental health research. Can J Psychiatry. 2019;64(2):79-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718819491
https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718819491...
).

For many young adults, a major event in this cycle is entry into higher education, where they will be able to acquire the skills and abilities necessary for future professional performance(11 Cunningham S, Duffy A. Investing in our future: importance of postsecondary student mental health research. Can J Psychiatry. 2019;64(2):79-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718819491
https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718819491...
22 Negash A, Khan MA, Medhin G, Wondimagegn D, Araya M. Mental distress, perceived need, and barriers to receive professional mental health care among university students in Ethiopia. BMC Psychiatry. 2020;20:187. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02602-3
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02602...
). On the other hand, this new phase may represent distancing from the family environment, high hours of study, social and leisure absences, in addition to competitiveness and demands for performance. Thus, these changes can lead to high physical and emotional investments, often related to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression(33 Fernandes MA, Vieira FER, Silva JS, Avelino FVSD, Santos JDM. Prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms in college students of a public institution. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(suppl 5):2169-75. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0752
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
).

Anxiety is characterized as an emotional state of self-protection oriented towards the future, with physiological and behavioral responses directed to threatening situations(33 Fernandes MA, Vieira FER, Silva JS, Avelino FVSD, Santos JDM. Prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms in college students of a public institution. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(suppl 5):2169-75. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0752
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
-44 Facioli AM, Barros ÂF, Melo MC, Ogliari ICM, Custódio RJM. Depression among nursing students and its association with academic life. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(1):e20180173. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0173
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0...
). It becomes pathological when prolonged and disproportionate to the stimulus, and can manifest itself through signs and symptoms such as tachycardia, changes in appetite, insomnia, irritability, sadness, lack of concentration, among others(44 Facioli AM, Barros ÂF, Melo MC, Ogliari ICM, Custódio RJM. Depression among nursing students and its association with academic life. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(1):e20180173. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0173
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0...
). Depression, on the other hand, is referred to as multifactorial mood disorder, manifested, among other characteristics, by prolonged sadness, displeasure, feelings of guilt, sleep and appetite disorders, fatigue, cognitive difficulties and recurring ideas of self-extermination(33 Fernandes MA, Vieira FER, Silva JS, Avelino FVSD, Santos JDM. Prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms in college students of a public institution. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(suppl 5):2169-75. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0752
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
).

The scientific literature highlights that psychiatric disorder prevalence among undergraduate students can be up to four times higher than the rates found in the general population(44 Facioli AM, Barros ÂF, Melo MC, Ogliari ICM, Custódio RJM. Depression among nursing students and its association with academic life. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(1):e20180173. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0173
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0...
-55 Vieira MTS, Lessa IS, Luiz FS, Santos KB, Matos FAPS, Carbogim FC. Distress and psychological well-being of undergraduate nursing students from Brazil and Portugal. Rev Enferm Cent-Oeste Min. 2019;9:e3453. https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453
https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453...
). Compatible with this information, research conducted at a Brazilian public university identified a high rate of anxiety and depression among undergraduate students, with a prevalence of 62.9% and 30.2%, respectively(33 Fernandes MA, Vieira FER, Silva JS, Avelino FVSD, Santos JDM. Prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms in college students of a public institution. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(suppl 5):2169-75. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0752
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
). Another investigation with nursing students from Brazil and Portugal highlighted that Brazilian undergraduate students were more prone to anxiety, depression and loss of emotional control(55 Vieira MTS, Lessa IS, Luiz FS, Santos KB, Matos FAPS, Carbogim FC. Distress and psychological well-being of undergraduate nursing students from Brazil and Portugal. Rev Enferm Cent-Oeste Min. 2019;9:e3453. https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453
https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453...
). The authors did not identify factors directly related to this difference; however, they emphasize that institutional, environmental, cultural aspects and even satisfaction with academic life can influence psychological well-being and emotional balance(55 Vieira MTS, Lessa IS, Luiz FS, Santos KB, Matos FAPS, Carbogim FC. Distress and psychological well-being of undergraduate nursing students from Brazil and Portugal. Rev Enferm Cent-Oeste Min. 2019;9:e3453. https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453
https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453...
).

However, mental disorders have become emerging problems in the academy, with emphasis on anxiety and depression, which have a direct and profound impact on students’ performance, feedback on low self-esteem, insecurity, concern and other feelings(55 Vieira MTS, Lessa IS, Luiz FS, Santos KB, Matos FAPS, Carbogim FC. Distress and psychological well-being of undergraduate nursing students from Brazil and Portugal. Rev Enferm Cent-Oeste Min. 2019;9:e3453. https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453
https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453...
). In the health field, when compared to other courses, undergraduate nursing students are additionally exposed to emotional overload related to patient safety, as they deal with the disease and terminality(11 Cunningham S, Duffy A. Investing in our future: importance of postsecondary student mental health research. Can J Psychiatry. 2019;64(2):79-81. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718819491
https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743718819491...
,33 Fernandes MA, Vieira FER, Silva JS, Avelino FVSD, Santos JDM. Prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms in college students of a public institution. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(suppl 5):2169-75. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0752
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
,66 Silva RM, Costa ALS, Mussi FC, Lopes VC, Batista KM, Santos OP. Health alterations in nursing students after a year from admission to the undergraduate course. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2019;53:e03450. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018008103450
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201800...
).

A systematic review(77 Souza M, Caldas T, De Antoni C. Illness factors of students in health area: a systematic review. Psicodebate. 2017;3(1):99-126. https://doi.org/10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A8
https://doi.org/10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A...
) conducted to describe the triggering factors for psychological disorders in Brazilian undergraduate students in the health field, analyzed 18 investigations, of which only 22% addressed nursing students. Overall, dissatisfaction with the course, lack of emotional support, unsatisfactory performance, lack of leisure and course completion stood out as triggering factors(77 Souza M, Caldas T, De Antoni C. Illness factors of students in health area: a systematic review. Psicodebate. 2017;3(1):99-126. https://doi.org/10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A8
https://doi.org/10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A...
).

Thus, the knowledge gap that justifies the present investigation is related to the scarcity of publications related to symptoms of anxiety and depression in Brazilian nursing students and possible relationships with sociodemographic characteristics.

Therefore, it is necessary to know the magnitude of these disorders in higher education institutions and their specificities, as a way to establish the profile of students and outline strategies for prevention and health promotion.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate symptoms of depression and anxiety and their association with the sociodemographic characteristics of undergraduate nursing students.

METHODS

Ethical aspects

This study met the ethical standards in research involving human beings. It was approved by the Research Ethics Committee with Human Beings at Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF).

Design, place of study and period

This is cross-sectional and analytical research that was guided by The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), aimed at cross-sectional investigations. The study was carried out at the Faculty of Nursing of UFJF, between June and July 2019.

Population and sample: inclusion and exclusion criteria

In the 2019 academic year, there were 308 students enrolled between the 1st and 10th semester. All students were invited by the researchers, through social networks and in the classroom, to participate in the investigation, being able to opt for receiving the access link through Google Forms or providing printed forms.

It was established as an inclusion criterion: to be a graduate student in nursing at UFJF, Brazil, regularly enrolled. Students who did not complete the data collection instruments and those who were away from the course for any reason were excluded.

For the sample calculation, the formula n = N.Z².p.(1-p)/Z².p.(1-p).+ e².(N-1) was used. “N” is the calculated sample; “N” is population; “Z” is the standardized normal variable associated with confidence level; “P” is the true probability of the event; “E” is sampling error, using a sampling error of 5% and a 95% confidence level. A sample size of 172 students was obtained. However, the authors preferred to exceed the minimum sample size, 192 students selected for convenience.

Study protocol

For data collection, the researchers used a sociodemographic questionnaire (with information on age, sex, race, income, religion, course period, leisure activities, alcohol and illicit drug use, psychotropic drug use) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Brazilian Portuguese version(88 Paranhos ME, Argimon IIL, Werlang BSG. Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in adolescents. Aval Psicol [Internet]. 2010[cited 2020 Apr 23];9(3):383-92. Available from: http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1677-04712010000300005&lng=pt
http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?scr...
-99 Cunha JA. Manual da versão em português das Escalas Beck. São Paulo: Casa do Psicólogo; 2001.) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI)(99 Cunha JA. Manual da versão em português das Escalas Beck. São Paulo: Casa do Psicólogo; 2001.).

BDI-II(88 Paranhos ME, Argimon IIL, Werlang BSG. Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in adolescents. Aval Psicol [Internet]. 2010[cited 2020 Apr 23];9(3):383-92. Available from: http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1677-04712010000300005&lng=pt
http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?scr...
-99 Cunha JA. Manual da versão em português das Escalas Beck. São Paulo: Casa do Psicólogo; 2001.) contains 21 items, each with four answer options, among which participants choose the one most applicable to them to describe how they have been feeling in the last two weeks. These items refer to symptoms of depression, in increasing gradation, classified as absent, mild, moderate, and severe. Considering the sample from a non-clinical population, scores up to 13 were considered “minimal depression”; from 14 to 19, “mild depression”; from 20 to 28, “moderate depression”; and from 29 to 63, “severe depression”.

Likewise, BAI consists of 21 items, with four response options, among which participants choose the one most applicable to them to describe how they have been feeling in the last two weeks. These items refer to symptoms of anxiety, in increasing gradation, classified as minimal, mild, moderate, and severe. Considering the sample from a non-clinical population, scores up to 10 were considered “minimal anxiety”; scores from 11 to 19, “mild anxiety”; scores from 20 to 30, “moderate anxiety”; and scores from 31 to 63, “severe anxiety”.

Considering that BDI-II and BAI questionnaires analyze complex psychic aspects, there was the participation of a professional psychologist who assisted in test acquisition, in interpretation of results and in management of serious cases with UFJF’s psychology service.

Analysis of results, and statistics

The data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel® and analyzed using the Stata software, version 15.0. A descriptive analysis of sociodemographic information included the calculation of frequency measures; and, for the scoring of the depression and anxiety scales, the measures of position and dispersion were calculated. The distribution normality of quantitative variables was verified by applying Shapiro-Wilk test. From the results, the difference of mean in the scales of depression and anxiety was verified by adopting Mann-Whitney test for dichotomous variables and the Kruskal-Wallis test for polytomous.

Based on framework(88 Paranhos ME, Argimon IIL, Werlang BSG. Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in adolescents. Aval Psicol [Internet]. 2010[cited 2020 Apr 23];9(3):383-92. Available from: http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1677-04712010000300005&lng=pt
http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?scr...
-99 Cunha JA. Manual da versão em português das Escalas Beck. São Paulo: Casa do Psicólogo; 2001.), the scores of the depression and anxiety scales were grouped into symptom levels. The presence of an association between these and participants’ sociodemographic variables was verified by applying Fisher’s exact test or Pearson’s chi-square test. Throughout analysis, bilateral tests were adopted and 95% significance level.

RESULTS

The study sample had 192 participants, whose mean age was 21.44 (± 3.56) years. Thus, 85.93% of participants were women. White race was predominant (56.77%), followed by mixed-race (25.52%). Of the total, most (52.1%) practiced physical exercise. Anxiolytic use was reported by 11.46%, and 81.77% did not use any psychotropic drug (Table 1).

Table 1
Distribution of the total score of the scales by sociodemographic variables

The mean score on the depression scale was 22.40 (± 12.35), while on the anxiety scale it was 17.56 (± 11.98). As shown in Table 1, a statistically significant difference (p <0.05) was identified in the mean of the depression and anxiety scale, between sexes and psychotropic drug use. For variable sex, the highest mean on the scales was related to sex female and for variable psychotropic drugs, despite the lower amount, to students using antidepressants and mood stabilizers.

On the depression scale, severe symptoms were the most frequent (30.73%), whereas on the anxiety scale, a minimal classification was predominant (30.21%). On both scales, there was a statistically significant difference (p <0.001) for symptom levels (Table 2).

Table 2
Symptom level classification

Table 3 shows severe symptoms of depression being predominant (28.13%) among female students, while minimal was the most frequent (6.77%) in men. In students who were between the 1st and the 5th course’s semester, minimal symptomatology was shown in most of them (16.67%); between the 6th and the 10th semester, severe became predominant (18.22%).

Table 3
Distribution of depression symptom levels by sociodemographic variables

According to the symptoms identified in the anxiety scale, female students presented, in the majority, a moderate and severe classification (36.46%); and male, minimal and light (10.42%). Psychotropic drug use was associated with symptoms on this scale (p <0.001).

DISCUSSION

Stimuli or events related to anxiety or depression symptoms in nursing students may or may not be linked to the academic environment(55 Vieira MTS, Lessa IS, Luiz FS, Santos KB, Matos FAPS, Carbogim FC. Distress and psychological well-being of undergraduate nursing students from Brazil and Portugal. Rev Enferm Cent-Oeste Min. 2019;9:e3453. https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453
https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453...
). Symptom manifestations involve cognitive, behavioral, physiological and emotional reactions that require individual assessment by a specialized professional(1010 Milić J, Škrlec I, Vranješ IM, Podgornjak M, Heffer M. High levels of depression and anxiety among Croatian medical and nursing students and the correlation between subjective happiness and personality traits. Int Rev Psychiatr. 2019;31(7-8):653-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2019.1594647
https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2019.15...
).

A statistically significant difference was identified in the mean of the scores for signs of depression and anxiety between the sexes and for people using psychotropic drugs. The scientific literature has described that, in addition to adaptive factors, the competitive educational environment and dealing with sick people, women are exposed to a greater proportion to specific variables that favor the development of disorders, such as cultural, social and hormonal fluctuations(1010 Milić J, Škrlec I, Vranješ IM, Podgornjak M, Heffer M. High levels of depression and anxiety among Croatian medical and nursing students and the correlation between subjective happiness and personality traits. Int Rev Psychiatr. 2019;31(7-8):653-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2019.1594647
https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2019.15...

11 Costa DS, Medeiros, NSB, Cordeiro RA, Frutuoso ES, Lopes JM, Moreira, SNT. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in medical students and institutional coping strategies. Rev Bras Educ Méd. 2020;44(1):e040. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v44.1-20190069
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v44.1-2...

12 Qriouet Z, Belaiche A, Qmichou Z, Cherrah Y, Sefrioui H. Benzodiazepines use in Morocco: a nationwide consumption database study between 2004 and 2017. Asian J Psychiatr. 2020;47:101852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2019.101852
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2019.10185...
-1313 Al Rasheed F, Naqvi AA, Ahmad R, Ahmad N. Academic stress and prevalence of stress-related self-medication among undergraduate female students of health and non-health cluster colleges of a public sector university in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2017;9(4):251-8. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_189_17
https://doi.org/10.4103/jpbs.JPBS_189_17...
). In this regard, a meta-analysis(1414 Tung YJ, Lo KKH, Ho RCM, Tam WSW. Prevalence of depression among nursing students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse Educ Today. 2018;63:119-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.01.009
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.01.0...
) highlighted the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among female students in the undergraduate nursing program, without, however, identifying the directly related variables, in addition to cultural and biological aspects. Therefore, more comparative studies are needed to examine the difference between the sexes and investigate the presence of specific factors and possible triggers of psychological disorders in this population(1414 Tung YJ, Lo KKH, Ho RCM, Tam WSW. Prevalence of depression among nursing students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse Educ Today. 2018;63:119-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.01.009
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.01.0...
).

Concerning psychotropic drugs, although they act in changes in behavior, mood or other mental functions to improve or stabilize disorders, signs of depression and anxiety were found in people who use these medications, with emphasis on mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Even though there is no clear explanation in the context of this population, studies have described the high prevalence of self-medication in the health field, linked to incorrect medication use or inadequate dose for the alleged psychological changes(1212 Qriouet Z, Belaiche A, Qmichou Z, Cherrah Y, Sefrioui H. Benzodiazepines use in Morocco: a nationwide consumption database study between 2004 and 2017. Asian J Psychiatr. 2020;47:101852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2019.101852
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2019.10185...
,1515 Alshahrani SM, Shaik AS, Alakhali KM, Al-Worafi YM, Bahamdan AK, Vigneshwaran E. Self-Medication Among King Khalid University Students, Saudi Arabia. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2019;(12):243-49. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s230257
https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s230257...
-1616 Al-Shagawi MA, Ahmad R, Naqvi AA, Ahmad N. Determinants of academic stress and stress-related selfmedication practice among undergraduate male pharmacy and medical students of a tertiary educational institution in Saudi Arabia. Trop J Pharm Res. 2017;16(12):2997-3003 https://doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v16i12.26
https://doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v16i12.26...
). On the other hand, an investigation identified that nursing students preferred to consult people close to them to seek specialized help for symptoms of mental disorders(1717 Zeng Y, Wang G, Xie C, Hu X, Reinhardt JD. Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress in vocational college nursing students from Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional study. Psychol Health Med. 2019;24(7):798-811. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.1574358
https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.15...
). The belief in spontaneous resolution of the problem or the search for unskilled help increases the risk of underestimating important symptoms and worsening of the condition(1717 Zeng Y, Wang G, Xie C, Hu X, Reinhardt JD. Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress in vocational college nursing students from Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional study. Psychol Health Med. 2019;24(7):798-811. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.1574358
https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.15...

18 Kilinç G, Aylaz R, Günes G, Harmanci P. The relationship between depression and loneliness levels of the students at the faculty of health sciences and the factors affecting them. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2020;56:431-438. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12452
https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12452...
-1919 Sousa BOP, Souza ALT, Souza J, Santos Sivani A, Santos MA, Pillon SC. Nursing students: medication use, psychoactive substances and health conditions. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(Suppl 1):e20190003. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0003
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0...
).

With regards to other psychoactive substance consumption, there was a prevalence of alcohol, followed by nicotine and marijuana. However, the frequencies were lower than a similar study carried out with psychology students from northeastern Brazil, which identified alcohol consumption in 43.97% of participants, followed by marijuana and cigarettes with 18.6% and 9.48%, respectively(2020 Barbosa L, Asfora G, Moura M. Anxiety and depression and psychoactive substance abuse in university students. SMAD Rev Eletr Saúde Mental Álcool Drog. 2020;16(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.11606//issn.1806-6976.smad.2020.155334
https://doi.org/10.11606//issn.1806-6976...
). A Spanish multicenter study carried out with 4381 nursing students identified that 29.7% were smokers, 11.5% used marijuana and men were more likely to use cigarettes and/or marijuana than women(2121 Martínez C, Baena A, Castellano Y, Fu M, Margalef M, Tigova O, et al. Prevalence and determinants of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and cannabis use among nursing students: a multicenter cross-sectional study. Nurse Educ Today. 2019; 74:61-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2018.11.018
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.11.0...
). Despite the variation presented in the studies, the literature has highlighted the prevalence of high alcohol, nicotine and marijuana consumption among undergraduate students, but the socio-cultural, climatic or economic differences may be related to this variation(1717 Zeng Y, Wang G, Xie C, Hu X, Reinhardt JD. Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress in vocational college nursing students from Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional study. Psychol Health Med. 2019;24(7):798-811. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.1574358
https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.15...
,2222 Romero-López AM, Portero-de-la-Cruz S, Vaquero-Abellán M. Effectiveness of a web platform on university students' motivation to quit smoking. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem. 2020;28:e3318. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3731.3318
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3731.3...
-2323 Othman N, Ahmad F, El Morr C, Ritvo P. Perceived impact of contextual determinants on depression, anxiety and stress: a survey with university students. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2019; 13(17):1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0275-x
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0275-...
). An investigation carried out with 182 Brazilian nursing students identified that 56.6% had used alcohol in the last 30 days preceding the research, 11% were smokers, 54.5% had a mean level of nicotine dependence and 10.4% had already tried some illicit drug(1919 Sousa BOP, Souza ALT, Souza J, Santos Sivani A, Santos MA, Pillon SC. Nursing students: medication use, psychoactive substances and health conditions. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(Suppl 1):e20190003. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0003
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0...
).

Researches(2323 Othman N, Ahmad F, El Morr C, Ritvo P. Perceived impact of contextual determinants on depression, anxiety and stress: a survey with university students. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2019; 13(17):1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0275-x
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0275-...
-2424 Mousa OY, Dhamoon MS, Lander S, Dhamoon AS. The MD blues: under-recognized depression and anxiety in medical trainees. PLos One. 2016;11(6):e0156554. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0156554
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.015...
) have considered undergraduate students as a risk group for psychoactive substance use, considering that they produce transient relief effects in the symptoms of psychological disorders. In undergraduate nursing, illicit substance use has been linked to the search for relaxation, fun and pleasure(2525 Pires PLS, Soares GT, Brito IE, Lima CA, Junqueia MAB, Pillon SC. Correlation of the use of psychoactive substances with signs of anxiety, depression and stress in nursing students. Rev Atenc Saúde. 2019;17(61):38-44. https://doi.org/10.13037/ras.vol17n61.6099
https://doi.org/10.13037/ras.vol17n61.60...
). On the other hand, the chronic use of these substances, especially alcohol, has been related to withdrawal syndromes, lack of concentration, reduced academic performance and exacerbation of symptoms of anxiety and depression(1818 Kilinç G, Aylaz R, Günes G, Harmanci P. The relationship between depression and loneliness levels of the students at the faculty of health sciences and the factors affecting them. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2020;56:431-438. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12452
https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12452...

19 Sousa BOP, Souza ALT, Souza J, Santos Sivani A, Santos MA, Pillon SC. Nursing students: medication use, psychoactive substances and health conditions. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(Suppl 1):e20190003. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0003
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0...

20 Barbosa L, Asfora G, Moura M. Anxiety and depression and psychoactive substance abuse in university students. SMAD Rev Eletr Saúde Mental Álcool Drog. 2020;16(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.11606//issn.1806-6976.smad.2020.155334
https://doi.org/10.11606//issn.1806-6976...

21 Martínez C, Baena A, Castellano Y, Fu M, Margalef M, Tigova O, et al. Prevalence and determinants of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and cannabis use among nursing students: a multicenter cross-sectional study. Nurse Educ Today. 2019; 74:61-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2018.11.018
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.11.0...

22 Romero-López AM, Portero-de-la-Cruz S, Vaquero-Abellán M. Effectiveness of a web platform on university students' motivation to quit smoking. Rev Latino-Am Enfermagem. 2020;28:e3318. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3731.3318
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.3731.3...
-2323 Othman N, Ahmad F, El Morr C, Ritvo P. Perceived impact of contextual determinants on depression, anxiety and stress: a survey with university students. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2019; 13(17):1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0275-x
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0275-...
,2525 Pires PLS, Soares GT, Brito IE, Lima CA, Junqueia MAB, Pillon SC. Correlation of the use of psychoactive substances with signs of anxiety, depression and stress in nursing students. Rev Atenc Saúde. 2019;17(61):38-44. https://doi.org/10.13037/ras.vol17n61.6099
https://doi.org/10.13037/ras.vol17n61.60...
). Although there are few specific investigations for nursing students, psychoactive substances induce tolerance and dependence on increasing doses to achieve desired effects(1919 Sousa BOP, Souza ALT, Souza J, Santos Sivani A, Santos MA, Pillon SC. Nursing students: medication use, psychoactive substances and health conditions. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(Suppl 1):e20190003. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0003
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0...
).

The mean of signs of depression identified in the general population of undergraduate students has reached rates of 35% to 39%, while anxiety reaches 18% to 24% (2626 Zimmermann M, Chong AK, Vechiu C, Papa A. Modifiable risk and protective factors for anxiety disorders among adults: a systematic review. Psychiatr Res. 2019;285:112705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112705
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019....
-2727 Ballester L, Alayo I, Vilagut G, Almenara J, Cebrià A I, Echeburúa E, et al. Accuracy of online survey assessment of mental disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Spanish university students. Results of the WHO World Mental Health-International College Student initiative. Plos One. 2019;5;14(9):e0221529. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221529
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.022...
). When analyzing the frequency of severe signs of depression and anxiety in relation to the semesters of the course, students who were between the 6th and 10th semester were the most affected. The frequency of minimal signs of depression and anxiety was more common among students from the 1st to the 5th semester. These data contrast with studies that describe a higher frequency of signs of severe psychological disorders in students of the first semesters, considering that adaptive and problem management strategies are more common to undergraduate students(66 Silva RM, Costa ALS, Mussi FC, Lopes VC, Batista KM, Santos OP. Health alterations in nursing students after a year from admission to the undergraduate course. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2019;53:e03450. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018008103450
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201800...
).

When analyzing the frequency of severe signs of depression and anxiety in relation to the semesters of the course, students who were between the 6th and 10th semester were the most affected. The frequency of minimal signs of depression and anxiety was more common among students from the 1st to the 5th semester. These data contrast with studies that describe a higher frequency of signs of severe psychological disorders in students of the first semesters, considering that adaptive and problem management strategies are more common to undergraduate students(33 Fernandes MA, Vieira FER, Silva JS, Avelino FVSD, Santos JDM. Prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms in college students of a public institution. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(suppl 5):2169-75. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0752
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
,66 Silva RM, Costa ALS, Mussi FC, Lopes VC, Batista KM, Santos OP. Health alterations in nursing students after a year from admission to the undergraduate course. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2019;53:e03450. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2018008103450
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201800...
,2626 Zimmermann M, Chong AK, Vechiu C, Papa A. Modifiable risk and protective factors for anxiety disorders among adults: a systematic review. Psychiatr Res. 2019;285:112705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112705
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019....
-2727 Ballester L, Alayo I, Vilagut G, Almenara J, Cebrià A I, Echeburúa E, et al. Accuracy of online survey assessment of mental disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Spanish university students. Results of the WHO World Mental Health-International College Student initiative. Plos One. 2019;5;14(9):e0221529. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221529
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.022...
). On the other hand, when approaching the end of the course, the nursing student assumes greater responsibilities, clinical and managerial demands, based on which a gradual acquisition of autonomy is expected(2828 Hedley D, Uljarevic M, Foley K-R, Rich-dale A, Trollor, J. Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Depress Anxiety. 2018;35(7):648-657. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22759
https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22759...
-2929 Berk Y, Kaplan A, Agaoglu SA. An analysis of depression, anxiety and stress levels of university students who do sports and do not. European J Physical Educ Sport. 2018;4(2):70-8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1184665
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1184665...
). A research carried out with medical students states that the transitional process for professional life can also contribute to the increase of signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression(1111 Costa DS, Medeiros, NSB, Cordeiro RA, Frutuoso ES, Lopes JM, Moreira, SNT. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in medical students and institutional coping strategies. Rev Bras Educ Méd. 2020;44(1):e040. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v44.1-20190069
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v44.1-2...
). A study developed with 1,538 Chinese nursing students reported high levels of stress and psychological morbidity in graduates of the course. The signs and symptoms were linked to late exposure to the clinical environment, combined with academic responsibilities and future professional expectations(3030 Smith GD, Yang F. Stress, resilience and psychological well-being in Chinese undergraduate nursing students. Nurse Educ Today. 2017;49:90-5. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2016.10.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2016.10.0...
).

Faced with tension processes and signs of psychological disorders, factors considered protective, such as leisure activities, physical exercise, support networks are important in emotional management(55 Vieira MTS, Lessa IS, Luiz FS, Santos KB, Matos FAPS, Carbogim FC. Distress and psychological well-being of undergraduate nursing students from Brazil and Portugal. Rev Enferm Cent-Oeste Min. 2019;9:e3453. https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453
https://doi.org/10.19175/recom.v9i0.3453...
,77 Souza M, Caldas T, De Antoni C. Illness factors of students in health area: a systematic review. Psicodebate. 2017;3(1):99-126. https://doi.org/10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A8
https://doi.org/10.22289/2446-922X.V3N1A...
,2424 Mousa OY, Dhamoon MS, Lander S, Dhamoon AS. The MD blues: under-recognized depression and anxiety in medical trainees. PLos One. 2016;11(6):e0156554. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0156554
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.015...
,2626 Zimmermann M, Chong AK, Vechiu C, Papa A. Modifiable risk and protective factors for anxiety disorders among adults: a systematic review. Psychiatr Res. 2019;285:112705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112705
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019....
). It is worth mentioning that most research participants practiced physical exercises once or more during the week and reported living in the same city as the family. Investigations(2929 Berk Y, Kaplan A, Agaoglu SA. An analysis of depression, anxiety and stress levels of university students who do sports and do not. European J Physical Educ Sport. 2018;4(2):70-8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1184665
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1184665...
,3131 Lee E, Kim Y. Effect of university students' sedentary behavior on stress, anxiety, and depression. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2019;55(2):164-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12296
https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12296...
-3232 Flett G, Khan A, Su C. Mattering and psychological well-being in college and university students: review and recommendations for campus-based initiatives. Int J Ment Health Addiction. 2019;17:667-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00073-6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00073...
) have described a higher prevalence of signs of depression and anxiety in undergraduate students who do not exercise, as well as those who have a precarious support network. Therefore, students who engage in regular physical exercise programs have shown higher levels of psychological well-being, relaxation, positive emotions and a lower incidence of severe anxiety and depression(1717 Zeng Y, Wang G, Xie C, Hu X, Reinhardt JD. Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress in vocational college nursing students from Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional study. Psychol Health Med. 2019;24(7):798-811. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.1574358
https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2019.15...
,3333 Seedhom AE, Kamel EG, Mohammed ES, Raouf NR. Predictors of perceived stress among medical and nonmedical college students, Minia, Egypt. Int J Prev Med. 2019;10:107. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_6_18
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_6_18...
). In this regard, universities play an important role in preventing depression, anxiety and other disorders by offering physical activity, social and psychological support programs.

Study limitations

The limitation of this research is the punctual assessment of symptoms of anxiety and depression, without monitoring the possible variations throughout the course. Moreover, the investigation focused on a single undergraduate nursing course.

Contributions to nursing and health

This study contributes with data that support new research, coping strategies and support for undergraduate students, as it signals vulnerabilities responsible for the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Among the strategies for promotion and prevention at universities, the offer of physical activity, social and psychological support programs stand out.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to identify that the symptoms of depression and anxiety in nursing students were associated with female gender and psychotropic drug use. We identified symptoms of anxiety and depression in both sexes; however, for female students, severe symptoms of depression were predominant; in those of males, minimal was the most frequent. In students between the 6th and 10th semester, severe symptoms figured prominently.

We highlight the importance of longitudinal studies that allow to deepen the understanding of the signs of depression and anxiety throughout nursing graduation as well as systematic reviews that summarize the evidence in this field.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We would like to thank UFJF for financing this research.

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Edited by

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Antonio José de Almeida Filho
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Álvaro Sousa

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    28 May 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    04 July 2020
  • Accepted
    27 Sept 2020
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