Brazilian University Students Research Articles

Associations Between Physical Activity, Depressive, and Anxiety Symptoms in Brazilian University Students

ABSTRACT Background Physical activity (PA) has been associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety in the general population, but more consistent evidence is needed in the university population. Purpose Investigate the association between physical activity and depressive and anxiety symptoms in undergraduates. Methods 100 university students (23 ± 4 years, 47% female) were included in this cross-sectional study. We performed multiple linear regression analyses to investigate the association between the main variables. Results The physical activity (MET/min/week) had a significant association with depressive (F(2, 97) = 15.104, p < .001; adjusted R2 = .222) and anxiety symptoms (F(2, 97) = 11.853 p < .001; adjusted R2 = .180), explaining these outcomes in approximately 22% and 18%, respectively. Moderate or vigorous physical activity did not have an association with depressive (B = −0.10, t = −0.700, p = .486) or anxiety symptoms (B = −0.11, t = 0.725, p = .470). Discussion Individuals with high levels of physical activity have lower depressive and anxiety symptoms than individuals with lower levels of PA. Translation to Health Education Practice Increasing the level of physical activity may be a viable strategy to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students.

Exploring the effects of COVID-19-related traumatic events on the mental health of university students in Brazil: A cross-sectional investigation

University students are vulnerable to mental health issues during their academic lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students faced mental distress due to lockdowns and the transition to e-learning. However, it is not known whether these students were also affected specifically by COVID-19-related traumatic events. This study examined the impact of COVID-19-related traumatic events on 2277 university students from two federal institutions of higher education in Brazil. The university students completed an online questionnaire covering demographics, lifestyle habits, health characteristics, COVID-19-related traumatic events, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The results showed that an increased intensity of COVID-19-related traumatic events was positively associated with stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and each specific type of event was associated with these symptoms. In addition, we found a negative association between these symptoms and male sex and age and a positive association with having or having had a history of cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or mental disorders or another disease diagnosed by a physician. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the heightened risk of mental health issues in university students in the face of COVID-19-related traumatic events. Women, young people and people who have or have had a history of disease were the most vulnerable to mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Booster effects and mechanisms of web-based personalised normative feedback alcohol intervention for college students: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

BackgroundTo evaluate the effects of booster and no booster versions of web-based alcohol Personalised Normative Feedback (PNF) and whether descriptive norms mediated and/or participant motivation moderated the effectiveness of the intervention in real world conditions (i.e. no financial incentives). MethodsPragmatic randomised controlled trial with 1-, 3-, and 6-month assessments. Brazilian college students reporting alcohol use in the last 12 months (N=931) were recruited from May/2020 to December/2022 and allocated to 1) No booster/single PNF(S-PNF); 2) Booster/multiple PNF(M-PNF); or 3) Assessment-only control. We applied Helmert coding [1: Any intervention (S-PNF or M-PNF) vs. Control; and 2: S-PNF vs. M-PNF]. Primary outcomes: typical number of drinks/week and maximum number of drinks/week; secondary outcomes: drinking frequency and number of consequences. Three-months assessment was the primary interval. Descriptive norms were tested as mediator. Interest, importance, and readiness to change were examined as moderators. ResultsCompared to control, any intervention did not influence primary outcomes at 3-months or 6-months, but did at 1-month, when reduced typical drinking (IRR:0.77, 95%CI:0.66;0.90) and maximum number of drinks (IRR:0.69, 95%CI:0.58;0.82). There was an intervention effect on the consequences at 3-months. No differences were observed between S-PNF and M-PNF. No mediation effects were found at 3-months. At 6-months, there was an indirect effect on typical drinking through norms at 3-months (b=-0.82, 95%CI:-2.03;-0.12) and effects on maximum drinks through norms at 1-month (b=-0.54, 95%CI:-1.65;-0.02). No support for moderation was found. ConclusionsIntervention reduced alcohol drinking at 1 month only and was not effective thereafter. Mechanisms of effect remain unclear.

Compassionate Love for a Romantic Partner among Brazilian College Students

Compassionate love (CL) is a recent subject of close relationships. CL is focused on enlarging beneficence to another. The present study approaches the test of the psychometric characteristics of the shortened form of the Compassionate Love Scale for a partner (CLS-P-SF) for Brazilian college students and its relationships with background and well-being variables. The sample included 217 young adults, 46.1% women and 53.9% men. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the single latent factor of the CLS-P-SF is good and has satisfactory reliability. Subsequent analysis indicated that religious involvement and love status impacted the CLS-P-SF scores. CLS-P-SF scores were significantly related to the measurement of eros and agape love styles, commitment, life satisfaction, love satisfaction, and romantic loneliness. Satisfaction with love life mediated the relationship of CL for a partner and romantic loneliness. Current findings give an insight into the mechanism underlying the relation of CL with romantic loneliness.

(O-31) ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SEXUAL AGENCY AND SEXUAL SATISFACTION IN BRAZILIAN AND PORTUGUESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract Aim This study aimed to verify the association between sexual agency and sexual satisfaction in Portuguese and Brazilian university students. Method 322 university students, 161 Brazilian and 161 Portuguese, aged between 18 and 29, took part in this cross-sectional study by answering an online questionnaire. The measures used were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Sexual Attitudes Scale, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale and the Sexual Assertiveness Scale. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. Ethical procedures were met. Results The measures of individual sexual satisfaction (BR 0.446/PT 0.499), relational sexual satisfaction and in sexual satisfaction of sexual activity (BR 0.375/PT 0.363), and total sexual satisfaction (BR 0.454/PT 0.458), showed significant (p&amp;lt;0.01) moderate positive associations with the dimension of sexual assertiveness initiation, related to sexual agency to initiate sexual relations and communicate desires to the partner in both groups. This is a finding that contradicts the rules associated with traditional sexual scripts, which advocate that women tend to behave passively in relation to their partner's desires. Conclusion The association between initiative and sexual satisfaction demonstrates the need to go against traditional sexual scripts, encouraging women to recognize and communicate their desires, and to validate the right to pleasure and sexual satisfaction. Expanding communication and listening to desires, opening up to different ways of giving and receiving physical pleasure, can increase the feeling of desire and the possibility of feeling desired, favoring the possibility of individual and shared pleasure and satisfaction. Financing No conflict.

Analysis of the Impact of Personalized Learning Paths in Mobile Learning Platforms on the Development of Self-Directed Learning Strategies Among Brazilian College Students

This paper investigates the impact of personalized mobile learning (m-learning) platforms on the development of self-directed learning (SDL) strategies among Brazilian college students. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study combines quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to explore how personalized learning paths influence SDL skills such as goal-setting, time management, and reflective practice. The quantitative analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between the degree of personalization in m-learning experiences and enhancements in SDL competencies. Qualitative insights further elucidate students’ perceptions of personalized m-learning, highlighting increased motivation, engagement, and a sense of ownership over their learning processes. The research also delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by the Brazilian educational context, including infrastructural limitations and the digital divide. The findings underscore the potential of personalized m-learning platforms to foster learner autonomy and suggest implications for educators, policymakers, and educational technology developers. The study calls for further research on the longitudinal effects of personalized learning and the socio-economic factors affecting m-learning adoption and effectiveness.

Knowledge Level and Perceptions of Brazilian University Students about Bioeconomy

Through the creation of clean and innovative technologies, Bioeconomics is a means of achieving sustainability. For this to happen, it needs to be incorporated into concrete social actions, gaining knowledge and social acceptance. In this sense, the main purpose of this study was to analyze the understanding and level of knowledge of Brazilian university students about Bioeconomy, understanding their expectations and the factors that explain their attitudes towards it. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis with the help of IBM SPSS Statistics software version 28. The survey recorded 220 responses, identifying that 53.2% of the respondents were familiar with the term Bioeconomy and 47.2% had a level of knowledge classified as good or very good. In addition, a correlation was identified between the knowledge area and the place of residence of the students and their level of knowledge, with different motivations for supporting Bioeconomy, with economic motivations prevailing over socio-environmental ones. Also, it was found that the level of knowledge and support for Bioeconomy are directly correlated, so the greater the knowledge, the greater the support for it. More, even those students who don’t recognize the term Bioeconomy associate it with sustainability and the green economy. This study shows that there is a need to introduce topics related to Bioeconomy in universities and in Brazilians’ daily lives.

Levels of physical activity, physical and psychological well-being of university students, during the COVID-19 pandemic

The objective of the study was to evaluate the levels of physical activity practice and psychological well-being of university students, of both sexes, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We opted for the cross-sectional experimental design method, when addressing the variables of physical exercise, stress, depression and anxiety that were manipulated and combined to verify a greater change in the responses to be analyzed in the research proposal, that is, that greater levels of physical exercises would be related to minor negative symptoms in the sphere of mental health. The results showed that, according to the sample collected, the proposed relationship was not verified, since the prevalence rates of symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress showed normal rates, without scores that indicate significant severity in the health condition mental health, and thus not proving, in this study, that the time of weekly physical activity had a direct influence on the mental health of the evaluated individuals, either in the improvement or reduction of the negative symptoms. Thus, it was verified that the Brazilian university students of the respective sample, despite not having adequate levels of physical activity practice, presented mental health conditions with a low prevalence of negative symptoms related to the psychological profile, indicating, therefore, little significance regarding the study hypothesis that positive mental health indicators would be directly related to higher levels of physical activity. Key-words: Physical activity. University students. Anxiety. Depression. Mood states. Stress.

Sleep duration and quality during the COVID-19 pandemic and the association with physical activity and screen time among Brazilian college students.

As a result of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in sleep patterns have been observed in many countries, as well as changes in physical activity and screen time. The objective was to investigate sleep duration and quality during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with physical activity and screen time. Cross-sectional study with students from a University in Rio de Janeiro who answered an online questionnaire between August 2020 and March 2021. Physical activity was assessed using IPAQ-SF. Sleep was investigated based on questions about duration and sleep quality change, and screen time through self-reported questions. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to assess the association between physical activity and screen time with sleep duration and quality. Secondary analyses investigated the influence of the isolation time on this association. The confounding factors used were diagnosis of COVID-19, time of isolation, anxiety, depression, skin color, and gender. A total of 771 college students with a mean age of 24.5 years (±8.6) answered the questionnaire. About 75% reported more than 8 h of screen time per day and 49.8% were physically inactive. Regarding sleep, 54.9% had worsening sleep, while 40.6% had inadequate sleep duration during the pandemic. Physical activity was associated with improved sleep quality (Odds ratio (OR) 1.72; confidence interval (95% CI) 1.05-2.97). Also, physically active students who spent more than 14 weeks in social isolation demonstrated improved sleep quality (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.02-3.78) compared to physically inactive individuals. No association was observed for sleep duration. No association was observed between screen time and sleep quality, or sleep duration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was considerable worsening of sleep quality, and physical activity was positively associated with improved sleep quality.

Prevalence and Associated Factors to Non-Carious Cervical Lesions in Brazilian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Prevalence and Associated Factors to Non-Carious Cervical Lesions in Brazilian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Cooperative learning scale: validation among Portuguese and Brazilian university students

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi adaptar e validar a versão espanhola da Escala de Aprendizagem Cooperativa (EAC) para estudantes portugueses e brasileiros do ensino superior. Participaram no estudo 493 estudantes do Ensino Superior com idades entre 17 e 45 anos de uma universidade do norte de Portugal e 414 estudantes universitários brasileiros com idades entre 14 e 52 anos de universidades do Brasil. Para a adaptação, o instrumento original, desenhado e validado para contextos espanhóis para alunos do 3.º ciclo dos Ensinos Básico e Secundário, passou por várias fases: a) avaliação por especialistas; b) estudo piloto; c) análise fatorial confirmatória; e d) determinação da validade convergente e divergente. A versão portuguesa e a brasileira da EAC apresentam um bom modelo de ajustamento e incluem cinco fatores com três itens cada: interdependência positiva, competências interpessoais, interação estimuladora, responsabilidade individual e de grupo e processo de grupo.

Escala de aprendizagem cooperativa: validação para estudantes universitários de Portugal e do Brasil

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Spanish version of the Cooperative Learning Scale (CAT) for Portuguese and Brazilian higher education students. The study included 493 higher education students aged 17-45 years from a university in northern Portugal and 414 Brazilian university students aged 14-52 years from different universities in Brazil. To this adaptation, the original instrument, designed and validated for Spanish contexts and for students from the 3rd cycle of basic education and secondary education, went through several phases: a) evaluation by experts; b) pilot study; c) confirmatory factorial analysis; and d) determination of convergent and divergent validity. Both the Portuguese and the Brazilian versions of the CAT present a good adjustment model and include five factors with three items each: positive interdependence, interpersonal skills, promotive interaction, individual accountability, and group processing.

Resilience, Life Satisfaction and Flourishing: Mediation of Positive and Negative Affects in the Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated mental health problems, which motivated this research, aimed to test the effect of resilience, mediated by positive and negative affects, on life satisfaction and flourishing. A total of 261 Brazilian university students participated; they had an average age of 24.38 ± 7.44 years old, and 63.9% were female. They answered an online survey at the beginning of social isolation containing scales on resilience, life satisfaction, positive and negative affects, and flourishing, in addition to sociodemographic questions. In the mediation model, the results indicated sufficiently adequate fits [B-Sχ² (328) = 698.28; p = 0.001; B-Sχ² / df = 2.13; CFI = 0.91; TLI = 0.90; RMSEA = 0.066; p (RMSEA &lt;0.05) = 0.001], showing a mediating effect for positive affect, which corroborates previous studies, suggesting the importance of resilience and positive emotions even during the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve the mental health of university students.

Online psychoeducation groups for mental health promotion: Perceptions of Brazilian university students

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to understand the perceptions of university students regarding participation in an online psychoeducation group to promote mental health.MethodThis was a qualitative study that followed two groups over 8 weeks, carried out with 20 nursing students from a Brazilian public university during the COVID‐19 pandemic.ResultsThe online psychoeducation group was considered an efficient strategy for mental health promotion and an important resource for the provision of assistance to this population, especially in the pandemic scenario. The remote environment was considered welcoming and comfortable to share personal issues, and dispensing with commutes eased participation. On the contrary, some participants mentioned a lack of physical contact and difficulties with adherence/attendance, as well as the need for more meetings.Final considerationsFor this population, highly impacted by the pandemic, the online psychoeducation group was configured as a space for sharing life experiences, self‐knowledge and was designed to offer a welcoming environment, contributing to the construction of support networks in a social isolation scenario. It is recommended that these online group interventions continue to be investigated after the pandemic, especially by communicating about strengthening the welcoming actions in higher education.

College medical students consume methylphenidate for cognitive enhancement with and without a medical prescription

ABSTRACT Introduction Methylphenidate is used to enhance cognitive enhancement and improve attention and focus by college students. Medical students use methylphenidate due to stress, the volume of information, and the need to succeed. Few studies have evaluated methylphenidate consumption in university students in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the use and attitudes of medical students who use methylphenidate at a Brazilian university. Methods Sixty-nine students who use methylphenidate answered a 12-question questionnaire about drug consumption. Results The results showed that the participants used methylphenidate without a diagnosis of ADHD and a prescription for cognitive enhancement, that consumption occurs mainly close to exams, that friends are the source of obtaining the medicine, and that doctors have prescribed the methylphenidate even without them having indicating use. There was no difference between the consumption of men and women. Conclusion In conclusion, although no significant differences were observed in consumption between men and women, this study showed that Brazilian university students consume methylphenidate for cognitive enhancement with and without a medical prescription.

Abusive Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages and Associated Factors in Brazilian University Students.

The university is considered an environment that favors the initiation and use of substances, especially those that are legal, such as alcohol. This consumption can be differentiated in university students, which makes it necessary to better understand this behavior. Taking into account these aspects, we analyzed the abusive consumption of alcoholic beverages in university students and its association with socioeconomic and behavioral factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study with regularly enrolled students. We assessed the abusive consumption of alcoholic beverages using the binge drinking pattern. We collected socioeconomic and behavioral data using a questionnaire. The association between the variables was verified using logistic regression. Abusive consumption of alcoholic beverages was high, with a high weekly frequency. The association with sociodemographic and behavioral factors can increase the health risk. Education campaigns within institutions with students in the classroom and with all those who can influence these students are important. As there are few studies that consider other health risk factors that have not been analyzed yet, such as those treated in our study, with the abusive consumption of alcoholic beverages, this study seeks to contribute to the knowledge of the relationships between these variables and in the elaboration of actions aimed at improving the lifestyle and health of university students.

Protective strategies and motivations to control drinking among Brazilian college students: a qualitative study

BackgroundTo develop prevention programs or early interventions to reduce alcohol consumption and related problems among college students, it is essential to understand their motivations for drinking and the spontaneous (effective and non-effective) strategies they employ to control, considering the social and cultural contexts influence. This study aimed to explore these factors and the student’s application of selfcare in different situations and environments, as well as to identify their reasons for not drinking.MethodsThe students were invited to participate using a snowball sampling, up to the theoretical saturation point. Qualitative individual semi-structured interviews were carried out and the interviews contents were analyzed using the NVivo software. The participants were 23 college students between 18 and 24 years old, with diverse patterns of alcohol use (low-risk to suggestive of dependence).ResultsData analysis highlighted three main themes: (a) Contexts (such as bars, “open bar” parties and others) and consumption patterns; (b) Protective Strategies (such as stop-drinking intervals, eating before or during drinking, returning home in the company of a friend); (c) Motivations to control drinking (such as sense of responsibility, bad previous experiences, family and religious issues). Protective strategies and motivation to control drinking were perceived to be less prominent in specific contexts that favor high alcohol consumption, as open bar parties.ConclusionsMotivations and protective strategies varied according to the drinkers’ profile, social situations and settings in which they consumed alcohol. The results highlight the need for preventive interventions planned for specific drinking patterns and contexts.

University indigenous students' perspectives on climate change and survival of indigenous peoples in Brazil: a concept mapping study.

This study aimed to identify what indigenous university students in Brazil perceived to be important and feasible actions to protect the survival of indigenous peoples from climate change-related impacts. Concept mapping, which is a participatory mixed methodology, was conducted virtually with 20 indigenous students at two universities in Brazil. A focus prompt was developed from consultations with indigenous stakeholders and read "To protect the survival of the Indigenous Peoples from climate change, it is necessary to…". Students brainstormed 46 statements, which they then sorted into clusters based on conceptual similarity. They rated each statement for importance and feasibility. Quantitative multivariate analyses of clusters and ratings were conducted to produce multiple visual maps of perceived actionable priorities. These analyses used the Group Wisdom TM software. Students agreed on 8 clusters that reflect the factors that influence the survival of indigenous peoples-preservation of lands 0.16 (SD 0.13), protection of demarcated lands 0.31 (SD 0.10), indigenous health and wellbeing 0.35 (SD 0.14), ancestral customs 0.46 (SD 0.04), global and national actions 0.61 (SD 0.13), indigenous rights 0.64 (SD 0.23), collective living 0.71 (SD 0.21), and respect 0.75 (SD 0.14). The most actionable priorities are related to the respect for their lands and customs, educational initiatives in schools about the importance of indigenous peoples to society, guarantees for basic health rights, and culturally appropriate provision of care, with specific mention of mental healthcare. The findings aligned closely with the concept of indigenous self-determination, which is rooted in autonomy and respect for cultural diversity, and the right to make decisions that impact their lives, land, and resources.

Motivation and Intergenerational Educational Mobility

Abstract: This study aimed to identify whether motivation to learn has a statistically significant effect on intergenerational educational mobility among Brazilian university students. Although qualitative studies have proposed the existence of this relationship, quantitative evidence still needs to be discovered. We sought to identify the characteristics that might be fostered to enable students to complete primary education and pursue higher education. To answer the research question, we used data from a sample of 1,031 individuals collected via a structured questionnaire and estimated an ordered logistic regression model with intergenerational educational mobility as the dependent variable and motivation as the key independent variable. The results showed that more motivated individuals were more likely to be educationally upwardly mobile in relation to their parents. However, such cases were more likely to occur when there was low mobility, with the father or mother having completed high school. This study’s findings would help public policymakers seeking to promote intergenerational educational mobility and reduce inequality. The results suggest motivation can be fostered and developed in children and adolescents, and the mechanisms for doing so, be they extrinsic or even intrinsic, need to be considered.

Weight stigma is a predictor of disordered eating in Brazilian college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A 16-month cohort follow-up.

This study examined the relationship between weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering individuals with and without overweight. A national sample of 738 college students completed an online questionnaire at three time points between July 2020 and December 2021, reporting their experiences of weight stigma, perceived increase in weight stigma during the pandemic, internalized weight stigma, and disordered eating behaviors. The findings showed that the trajectories of disordered eating behaviors varied depending on participants' anthropometric status. Among those with overweight, there was a decrease over time in binge eating, food restriction, and purging. Conversely, the non-overweight group experienced a slight increase in binge eating from T2 to T3. Using the Generalized Estimating Equations model, the study revealed that weight stigma predicted disordered eating behaviors in both weight spectrums during the pandemic. Experiences of weight stigma and the perceived increase in weight stigma significantly increased the likelihood of engaging in binge eating, food restriction, and purging among individuals with overweight. Furthermore, the internalization of weight stigma was longitudinally associated with all examined eating behaviors, regardless of anthropometric status. These findings highlight the importance of addressing weight stigma to prevent disordered eating in college students.