Loneliness and Depression: Relations with Personal Characteristics and Life Habits in University Students/Solidao e Depressao: Relacoes com Caracteristicas Pessoais e Habitos de Vida em Universitarios

• Published in: Psicologia, teoria e pesquisa Vol. 35
• Main Authors: Barroso, Sabrina Ma, de Oliveira, Nadyara Regina, de Andrade, Valeria Sousa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Instituto de Psicologia 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Brasil
• ISSN: 0102-3772
• DOI: 10.1590/0102.3772e35427

This study evaluated loneliness and depression of college students to verify its relationship with their habits, course characteristics, and social support. It was used the UCLA-BR Loneliness Scale, Social Support Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, and a complementary questionnaire to evaluate 574 students. Depression was screened in 38.7% of the students, and 53% of them showed minimal loneliness. Most students had four or more daily meals, slept 6 to 8 hours, considered having friends and leisure, did not smoke, but usually drank. There was a correlation between loneliness and depression (rho = 0.42) and of these with the students' habits, course area, and social support. It was concluded that the emotional state of the students is worrying and that interventions are necessary. KEYWORDS: loneliness, depression, social support, undergraduate students, UCLA-BR Este trabalho avaliou a solidao e a depressao em universitarios, verificando sua relacao com habitos, caracteristicas do curso e suporte social. Participaram 574 universitarios. Utilizou-se a Escala de Solidao UCLA-BR, Escala de Suporte Social, Questionario sobre a Saude do Paciente e questionario complementar. Houve triagem para depressao em 38,7% dos estudantes e 53% sentia solidao minima. A maioria dos estudantes fazia quatro ou mais refeicoes, dormia entre 6 e 8 horas, considerava ter amigos e lazer. Nao fumavam, mas bebiam. Houve correlacao entre solidao e depressao (rho = 0,42) e dessas condicoes com habitos dos universitarios, area do curso e suporte social. Conclui-se que o estado emocional de universitarios avaliados e preocupante e intervencoes sao necessarias. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: solidao, depressao, suporte social, universitarios, UCLA-BR