Prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidal behaviors among Brazilian undergraduate students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Anxiety
Brazil
Depression
Meta-analysis
Suicidal behavior
Undergraduates
Journal
Journal of affective disorders
ISSN: 1573-2517
Titre abrégé: J Affect Disord
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 7906073
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 03 2021
01 03 2021
Historique:
received:
25
08
2020
revised:
16
11
2020
accepted:
24
12
2020
pubmed:
9
1
2021
medline:
24
4
2021
entrez:
8
1
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The university context can be an overwhelming background, being especially harmful to undergraduates' mental health. Considering that several studies have reported on the prevalence of psychological distress among Brazilian undergraduate students, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior in this population. Studies reporting on the prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior and its associated factors among Brazilian undergraduate students were systematically searched in scientific electronic databases. Pooled prevalence was calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Individual associated factors were summarized, and study characteristics associated with outcome prevalence were tested through meta-regression analysis. Forty-seven articles were included, of which 44 were meta-analyzed (37,486 undergraduates). The pooled prevalence estimates of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior were 37.75%, 28.51%, and 9.10%, respectively. Meta-regression analysis showed that investigations with probabilistic samples presented a higher prevalence of anxiety and that studies conducted within public institutions and with samples of exclusively medical students presented higher frequencies of depression. Cross-sectional data do not allow the establishment of temporality and causal inference. Furthermore, the high heterogeneity of the included studies may also constitute a weakness of this review. The prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior among Brazilian undergraduates was high. These results have scientific and practical implications, the former regarding the need for the standardization of the methodology of studies and the latter regarding the need for comprehensive mental health care for Brazilian undergraduates.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The university context can be an overwhelming background, being especially harmful to undergraduates' mental health. Considering that several studies have reported on the prevalence of psychological distress among Brazilian undergraduate students, this study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior in this population.
METHODS
Studies reporting on the prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior and its associated factors among Brazilian undergraduate students were systematically searched in scientific electronic databases. Pooled prevalence was calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Individual associated factors were summarized, and study characteristics associated with outcome prevalence were tested through meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
Forty-seven articles were included, of which 44 were meta-analyzed (37,486 undergraduates). The pooled prevalence estimates of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior were 37.75%, 28.51%, and 9.10%, respectively. Meta-regression analysis showed that investigations with probabilistic samples presented a higher prevalence of anxiety and that studies conducted within public institutions and with samples of exclusively medical students presented higher frequencies of depression.
LIMITATIONS
Cross-sectional data do not allow the establishment of temporality and causal inference. Furthermore, the high heterogeneity of the included studies may also constitute a weakness of this review.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior among Brazilian undergraduates was high. These results have scientific and practical implications, the former regarding the need for the standardization of the methodology of studies and the latter regarding the need for comprehensive mental health care for Brazilian undergraduates.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33418361
pii: S0165-0327(20)33198-0
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.108
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Meta-Analysis
Review
Systematic Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
147-159Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.