EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INTERNET-BASED TOOL FOR EMOTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS AT A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN BRAZIL

Abstract

University students have a higher prevalence of illnesses that affect their mental health. This leads to a higher risk of dropping out, poor academic performance, drug abuse, difficulties in finding a job after graduation, and suicidal thoughts. Internet-based tools for screening students with symptoms of these illnesses are necessary, then it allows to perform an early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an Internet-based tool for the emotional assessment of students at a state public university. The SAVE (emotional assessment software) was developed in a standardized language already used by the university’s systems. Initially, the Beck Inventory (BDI-II) was used to screen for students with depressive symptoms. Students who scored more than 9 were referred to a multiprofessional care (psychology, nursing, physiotherapy, and social work) for diagnosis and treatment. The analysis of 671 questionnaires answered by students in the first 12 months of the tool's operation showed a prevalence of 83.5% with depressive symptoms, where 20.4% with mild symptoms, 39.1% with moderate symptoms, and 24.0% with severe symptoms. This study demonstrated the importance of using Internet-based tools to detect symptoms that affect the mental health of university students.