Comparing Mental Health of University Students in Brazil and Germany During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Prado Aneliana da Silva, Baldofski Sabrina, Kohls Elisabeth, Bianchi Alessandra Sant'Anna, Oda Fernanda Suemi, Freitas Joanneliese de Lucas, Rummel-Kluge Christine
Primary Institution: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Psychology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
Hypothesis
Brazilian university students would show higher levels of depressive symptoms and more difficulties with social and emotional aspects compared to German students.
Conclusion
Brazilian students reported more depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts than German students, indicating a need for targeted mental health support.
Supporting Evidence
- Brazilian students had higher levels of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts compared to German students.
- German students reported higher levels of loneliness than Brazilian students.
- Brazilian students had a more favorable opinion towards vaccinations compared to German students.
Takeaway
This study found that students in Brazil felt sadder and more stressed than those in Germany during the pandemic, showing that different countries had different experiences.
Methodology
Two online cross-sectional surveys were conducted with university students in Brazil and Germany, assessing various mental health and social factors.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to self-reported data and differences in sociodemographic characteristics between samples.
Limitations
The study did not consider cultural differences that might influence results and used a single item for assessing drug use.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 2437 Brazilian students and 5474 German students, with significant differences in age and gender distribution.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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