Fatores associados ao sofrimento mental de estudantes de graduação em São Paulo entre 2017- 2021

Abstract

The mental distress of university students has an impact on academic life and student retention. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has been a sensitive topic in university communities, with a view to building institutional strategies. In this context, the objective of this study was to identify and compare the factors associated with the mental distress of undergraduate students at the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) in the periods 2017-2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) and 2020-2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). This is a cross-sectional study, based on the analysis of secondary data from 14,092 undergraduate students in the period between 2017-2021 obtained by the Commission for the Study of the Profile of Undergraduate Students at Unifesp between the years 2017-2021. The data demonstrated important associations regarding the mental health of these students, highlighting an increased likelihood of mental distress among more vulnerable groups (PwD, women, transvestites/transgender individuals). Engaging in physical activity sporadically or regularly served as a protective factor in both analyzed periods. The findings show an increase in mental distress among students, including the use of psychotropic drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended to develop student retention policies from entry into higher education that include strategies for students in mental distress, especially women, transgender students, people with disabilities, and workers.