Psychological distress among university students during remote learning in Brazil: a multicenter online study

Sao Paulo Med J. 2025 Aug 29;143(5):e2024299. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2024.0299.R1.07032025. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing the prevalence of mental disorders in the context of remote teaching in Brazil during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are scarce.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression and their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN AND SETTING: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted at eight Brazilian public universities.

METHODS: This study was conducted on students regularly enrolled in undergraduate courses. Data were collected between October 2021 and February 2022 using an online self-administered questionnaire that addressed sociodemographic and academic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and health conditions. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. The variables were analyzed descriptively using frequency distribution, proportion, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and Pearson’s chi-squared test.

RESULTS: A total of 8,650 students participated, and most of them were women, white, heterosexual, cisgender, and unmarried, with a mean age of 23.9 (standard deviation: ± 6.34) years and living with family members. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed in 59.7% (95% CI: 58.7-60.7) and 63.0% (95% CI: 62.0-64.0) of the students, respectively. These symptoms were associated with sex, age, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, education of the head of the family, family income, decrease in income during the pandemic, and area of knowledge.

CONCLUSION: Most university students showed symptoms of anxiety and depression during the suspension of face-to-face activities in universities, indicating the need for institutional actions and public policies aimed at promoting their health and mental well-being.

PMID:40900561 | DOI:10.1590/1516-3180.2024.0299.R1.07032025