Vulnerabilities in the Mental Health of University Students in the Period of Clinical Internship

Abstract

Introduction: The internship period of university courses in the health area is full of challenges, permeated by ambivalent feelings, which, if poorly elaborated, can culminate in physical and / or mental illness.

Objective: To investigate the level of anxiety, depression and stress symptoms in university students - health interns.

Methodology: Descriptive and quantitative research. Sample made up of interns from three health courses. Held at a public university located in the interior of São Paulo. Two instruments were used: sociodemographic questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data analysis following the protocol established by the instrument, calculations of descriptive and association statistics.

Results: Participated 114 interns, with an average age of 22 years old, most of them female, single, with religion, sedentary and engaged in leisure activities. Of the total, 57.0% had symptoms of depression, 60.5% anxiety and 65.8% stress, with moderate and severe levels, therefore considered pathological. An association was found between female sex and symptoms of anxiety, depressive symptoms and lack of physical and leisure activities.

Conclusion: Need to develop preventive actions and promote mental health in the university context, encouraging the development of protective factors and strategies to cope with stress.