Measuring Mental Health in 2 Brazilian University Centers: Protocol for a Cohort Survey

JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Mar 14;14:e63636. doi: 10.2196/63636.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Global concern for the mental well-being of university students is on the rise. Recent studies estimate that around 30% of students experience mental health disorders, and nearly 80% of these individuals do not receive adequate treatment. Brazil, home to around eight million university students, lacks sufficient research addressing their mental health. To address this gap, we aim to conduct a longitudinal mental health survey at 2 Brazilian universities.

OBJECTIVE: This paper outlines the research protocol for a web-based mental health survey designed to assess the well-being of Brazilian university students.

METHODS: The survey targets undergraduate students (N=8028) from 2 institutions: UniFAJ (Centro Universitário de Jaguariúna) and UniMAX (Centro Universitário Max Planck). Students will be invited to respond to self-reported questionnaires, including theSMILE-U (lifestyle and quality of life), the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [Fifth Edition]) self-rated level 1 cross-cutting symptom measure, and a brief version of the Adult Self-Report Scale for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Students who exceed thresholds for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder will receive additional diagnostic instruments. The survey will be conducted annually, tracking individual and group trajectories and enrolling new cohorts each year. Data will be analyzed using cross-sectional and longitudinal methods, focusing on descriptive, associative, and trajectory analyses.

RESULTS: The first wave of data collection began in February 2024 and is expected to conclude in December 2024. As of October 2024, a total of 2034 of 7455 (27.2 in 100) eligible students had completed the questionnaire. Cross-sectional statistical analysis is planned to commence immediately after data collection and is expected to be completed by June 2025.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey uses a scalable, cost-effective design to evaluate mental health conditions among Brazilian university students. The longitudinal framework facilitates the monitoring of mental health trends, supports the development of targeted interventions, and informs policy initiatives in higher education.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF Registries OSF.IO/AM5WS; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AM5WS.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/63636.

PMID:40085140 | DOI:10.2196/63636