IMPACTS OF ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS OF A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN NORTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

The study investigates the impacts of academic experiences on the mental health of students at a public university located in the North of Brazil. Through a quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational approach, data were collected from 157 students, using two validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Academic Experiences Questionnaire – short version (QVA-r). The results point to a high prevalence of symptoms of stress (43.3%), anxiety (45.2%) and depression (40.8%), especially among female students and those enrolled in the first years of the course. The analyses of variance revealed significant associations between the levels of psychological distress and the perception of academic experiences in the personal, career and study dimensions. In addition, factors such as gender, age group, and place of residence influenced stress and anxiety levels, highlighting the need for academic policies focused on emotional support and the promotion of student well-being. This study contributes to the debate on mental health in higher education, highlighting the urgency of interventions that mitigate psychological suffering and promote quality of life for students.