Stress, Anxiety and Depression and Association with Quality of Life, Sex and Use of Psychotropic Drugs in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20435/pssa.v16i1.2495

Keywords:

mental health, quality of life, students, universities

Abstract

Introduction: The mental health of university students is a worldwide public health problem and may be associated with a poorer quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the association between the variables stress, anxiety and depression and quality of life, gender and the use of psychotropic drugs in university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out online with 131 university students, between September and December 2022.  Stress, anxiety and depression levels were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-Bref). Bivariate analyses were carried out to determine the existence of an association between the variables, at a 5% significance level. Results: High levels of stress (89.30%), anxiety (83.10%) and depression (80.90%) were identified among the students. These variables showed a negative and statistically significant association with quality of life. There was a statistically significant association between the use of psychotropic drugs and the variables depression, anxiety and stress. However, no significant association was identified in relation to gender. Discussion and conclusions: Symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression predispose university students to a lower quality of life and are associated with the use of psychotropic drugs. Screening and psychological interventions for these symptoms could help improve the perception of quality of life in this population.

Author Biographies

Bruna de Oliveira Alves, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)

Graduanda em Enfermagem pela Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV).

Érika de Cássia Lopes Chaves, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL)

Doutora em Enfermagem Fundamental pela Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (USP). Mestrado em Ciências da Saúde e graduação em Enfermagem pela Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL). Professora UNIFAL.

Eliza Mara das Chagas Paiva, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL)

Doutoranda e mestre em Enfermagem e enfermeira pela Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL).

Rafael Lopes Chaves, Universidade Professor Edson Antônio Velano (UNIFENAS)

Graduando em Psicologia pela Universidade Professor Edson Antônio Velano (UNIFENAS).

Bárbara Guimarães Lourenço, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)

Graduanda em Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)

Marina das Dores Nogueira de Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL)

Graduanda em Enfermagem pela Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL). Bolsista do Programa de Educação Tutorial do Curso de Enfermagem da UNIFAL.

Guilherme Antônio Gonçalves Ribeiro, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL)

Graduando em Enfermagem pela Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL). Bolsista do Programa de Educação Tutorial do Curso de Enfermagem da UNIFAL.

Caroline de Castro Moura, Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)

Doutora em Enfermagem pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG). Professor Adjunto I do Departamento de Medicina e Enfermagem da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV).

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Published

2025-01-22

How to Cite

Alves, B. de O., Chaves, Érika de C. L., Paiva, E. M. das C. ., Chaves, R. L. ., Lourenço, B. G. ., Oliveira, M. das D. N. de, Ribeiro, G. A. G., & Moura, C. de C. (2025). Stress, Anxiety and Depression and Association with Quality of Life, Sex and Use of Psychotropic Drugs in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Revista Psicologia E Saúde, 16(2), e16342495. https://doi.org/10.20435/pssa.v16i1.2495

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v. 16, jan./dez. 2024

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