Mental health in nursing students: An updated literature review of the state of the art

Abstract

Document analysis is a method that delves into topics of interest to strengthen knowledge. This research on mental health disorders was developed with the objective of identifying the mental health status of nursing students through existing evidence on different disorders. Six search sites were consulted, including: Scielo, Dialnet, Scopus, Metas de Nursing, Redalyc, and Infad Psychology. 176 articles were consulted that comprised the study universe; however, only 30 met the inclusion criteria, resulting in the report of a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. They also had similarities in the reporting of stressors such as academic, financial, and professional stress. They also highlighted that students are not prepared to handle emotional tensions. The predominant methodology was quantitative; 50% used a descriptive design and validated DASS-21 scales. The results indicate that insomnia is a common symptom of these disorders. The findings underscore the need for interventions that address these problems in the student population, considering social and academic factors, as well as the importance of family cohesion and a healthy academic environment to mitigate the negative impact and improve overall well-being. This study provides a valuable framework for mental health in similar contexts.