Banca de DEFESA: RAIANE NAIARA DE OLIVEIRA DANTAS

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : RAIANE NAIARA DE OLIVEIRA DANTAS
DATE: 31/10/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Google Meet
TITLE:

STRESS AND ANXIETY IN THE ACADEMIC CONTEXT: impacts on the mental health of university students and their use of anxiolytics

KEY WORDS:

Mental health; Occupational stress; Students; Anxiety disorders; Anxiety.

PAGES: 74
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Saúde Coletiva
SUMMARY:

Anxiety and stress share significant similarities, both being natural responses of the body to situations perceived as challenging. However, they may become pathological when they reach an intensity level that causes significant distress, compromising daily human functioning. This dissertation aimed to examine the correlation between physical and psychological manifestations of stress and its phases in undergraduate and graduate students at a Brazilian university, as well as to investigate the association between student profiles, the use of anxiolytics, and anxiety symptoms.To achieve this, two cross-sectional, descriptive studies with a quantitative approach were conducted in July 2023. The Lipp’s Stress Symptom Inventory and the Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to assess the variables of interest. Additionally, three questionnaires developed by the researchers were applied: (1) a sociodemographic questionnaire for university students, containing information such as age, sex, educational level, place of residence, employment status, and other variables; (2) an academic profile questionnaire, addressing course of study, length of education, participation in quota programs, and receipt of university assistance; and (3) a health profile questionnaire, identifying pre-existing conditions and the use of psychotropic drugs. The sample consisted of 1,049 students, including 688 undergraduates and 361 graduate students. Statistical analyses included tests of association, correlation, and linear regression to test the study hypotheses. The results of the stress study showed correlations between all stress phases and both physical and psychological symptoms in both groups (R > 0.50; p < 0.050). In the linear regression analysis, undergraduate students demonstrated stronger predictions related to psychological symptoms, Resistance Phase (R² = 0.767; p < 0.001) and Exhaustion Phase (R² = 0.866; p < 0.001). In contrast, graduate students showed stronger predictions related to physical symptoms, Alert Phase (R² = 0.747; p < 0.001) and Resistance Phase (R² = 0.802; p < 0.001). In the anxiety study, symptoms such as tremors, loss of balance, numbness in the legs, fainting sensation, and leg trembling were significantly associated with the use of anxiolytics (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate a strong correlation between physical and psychological symptoms of stress in university students. Moreover, the study reinforces the association between anxiolytic use and physical symptoms related to anxiety. In light of these results, the development of institutional strategies aimed at promoting adequate mental health care for university students during their academic training is strongly recommended.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2507055 - CRISTIANE DA SILVA RAMOS MARINHO
Interna - 4113406 - HELLYDA DE SOUZA BEZERRA
Externo ao Programa - 3298907 - BRUNO ARAÚJO DA SILVA DANTAS - UFRNExterno ao Programa - 2646602 - LUIZ ALVES MORAIS FILHO - UFRNExterno à Instituição - DULCIAN MEDEIROS DE AZEVEDO - UERN