FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with anxiety and depression among university students. An integrative literature review was conducted, analyzing articles retrieved from the secondary databases Virtual Health Library, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and Online System for Searching and Analyzing Medical Literature using the descriptors anxiety, depression, and students. The results indicate a high prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms, significantly associated with female gender, residence outside the parental home, and dissatisfaction with interpersonal support networks. Lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity and sleep disorders, as well as problematic use of social networks, acted as predictors of psychological distress. Students in full-time courses and health sciences showed greater vulnerability to emotional distress and maladaptive perfectionism. It was also observed that socioeconomic precariousness and food insecurity exacerbate the severity of the identified clinical conditions. It is imperative that Higher Education Institutions go beyond guaranteeing access, consolidating robust student assistance policies and institutionalized psycho-pedagogical support services.