MARCOS SANTOS / USP
More mature and higher expectations, displaced students have more stress, anxiety and depression due to financial concerns, social integration and academic performance, says new study.
Students who attend universities outside their area of residence anxiety and stress levels “significantly higher” than male colleagues revealed a study by the Miguel Torga Higher Institute in Coimbra.
“The greatest maturity of women students, the most conscious way, as the highest social problems and social expectations they have compared to men are generally translated into more negative emotional symptoms,” explained study coordinator Ilda Massano Cardoso .
Entitled “Anxiety, Depression and Stress in university students displaced from his residence”, he, conducted by Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, aimed to analyze the emotional difficulties faced by students who will study away from their homes.
According to the researcher and professor at Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, the financial concerns, social integration and academic performance They affect collections more than male students.
More anxiety, depression and stress than the general population
In symptoms of depression, the distinction between women and men “is not significant.” But according to the study, displaced students exhibit more negative emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression and stress than the Portuguese population in general.
“The transition to higher education is an important milestone in the lives of young people, back new possibilities, but also significant challenges, Especially for those who need to move from their homes, ”said Ilda Massano Cardoso.
This experience “can trigger strong feelings of anxiety and stress due to adaptation to new environments, added responsibilities and profound changes in the social support network ”.
The study also points out that international students have “significantly higher anxiety levels than nationals.”
“It is essential to offer more directed support to students who are not only displaced from their family home, but of their home country. This group faces challenges plus adaptation and cultural integration and, therefore, should have at their disposal a more personalized support network, ”he said.
Accommodation contributes to stress
Among the students inquired, 45.4% reported difficulties in finding accommodation and 51.5% stated that while finding accommodation was possible, it was not in the desired zone.
Despite the adversities, the students demonstrated “a high degree of satisfaction with the comfort of housingwith 75.4% approving the furniture and 77.9% satisfied with the quality of the internet. ”
The study also explored the relationship between age, years of education and negative emotional symptoms, with the results indicating that andolder students tend to have slightly higher levels of depressionwhile the years of schooling showed no correlation with the levels of anxiety, depression and stress.
What is the solution?
The study suggests that, in view of the emotional challenges identified, “are essential interventions directed to prevent more serious mental health problems among dislocated university students.”
“The results of this study are a clear sign of alert to the importance of developing integrated policies and strategies for preventing and promoting mental health, which include access to health services, extracurricular activities, social support networks and adaptive ‘coping’ strategies ”Warned Ilda Massano Cardoso. For the teacher, these measures are critical to helping young people deal with the emotional challenges of academic life and reduce their vulnerability.
“Academic associations should closely follow the work of student support offices, for example, promoting support among peers,” he said.
