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Mental Health and Resilience in Nursing Students: A Longitudinal Study

Author

Listed:
  • William Donegá Martinez

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Tiago Casaleiro

    (Grupo Autónoma - Escola Superior de Enfermagem São Francisco das Misericórdias, Green Park Campus, 1600-300 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • João Daniel de Souza Menezes

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Matheus Querino da Silva

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Emerson Roberto dos Santos

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Rauer Ferreira Franco

    (University Brasil—UB, Fernandópolis 15613-899, Brazil)

  • Alex Bertolazzo Quiterio

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Thales Guardia de Barros

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Ana Julia de Deus Silva

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Luiz Otávio Maciel Lopes

    (Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Votuporanga, Votuporanga 15500-003, Brazil)

  • Sônia Maria Maciel Lopes

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Natalia Almeida de Arnaldo Silva Rodriguez Castro

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Camila Aline Lázaro

    (University União das Faculdades dos Grandes Lagos—UNILAGO, São José do Rio Preto 15070-110, Brazil)

  • Maria Laura Fabris

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Josimerci Ittavo Lamana Faria

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Fernando Nestor Facio Júnior

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Maria Helena Pinto

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Daniele Alcalá Pompeo

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Denise Cristina Móz Vaz Oliani

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil
    University Hospital Center Cova da Beira, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Antônio Hélio Oliani

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil
    University Hospital Center Cova da Beira, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Neuza Alves Bonifácio

    (Campus Araçatuba, University Paulista—UNIP, Araçatuba 16018-555, Brazil
    Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Araçatuba 16050-680, Brazil)

  • Loiane Letícia dos Santos

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Marco Antonio Ribeiro Filho

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Gerardo Maria de Araújo Filho

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Nádia Antônia Aparecida Poletti

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Luís Cesar Fava Spessoto

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Natália Sperli Geraldes Marin dos Santos Sasaki

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Aparecida de Fátima Michelin

    (Campus Araçatuba, University Paulista—UNIP, Araçatuba 16018-555, Brazil)

  • Sabrina Ramires Sakamoto

    (Penápolis School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters, Penápolis Educational Foundation, Penápolis 16300-000, Brazil)

  • Maysa Alahmar Bianchin

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Vânia Maria Sabadoto Brienze

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Alba Regina de Abreu Lima

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Rita de Cássia Helú Mendonça Ribeiro

    (Faculty São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

  • Júlio César André

    (Center for Studies and Development of Health Education—CEDES, São José do Rio Preto Medical School—FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto 15090-000, Brazil)

Abstract

Mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent among young individuals, particularly within high-stress academic environments such as nursing education. Resilience is critical for maintaining well-being and adapting to university demands. Objective: To assess resilience levels in first-year nursing students at FAMERP (Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto) upon entry in 2021 and their longitudinal evolution in 2022 and 2023, using the Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale. The study also aims to explore the implications for mental health promotion in young healthcare professionals. Methods: A descriptive, longitudinal, prospective, and quantitative study was conducted with 40 students. Data collection was performed via electronic forms and analyzed using descriptive statistics and specific tests within the R programming language. Results: The predominantly female sample, with a mean age of 19.5 years, exhibited moderate to high resilience levels: mean scores of 132.5 (2021), 135.8 (2022), and 139.2 (2023). A significant reduction in the Perseverance factor ( p = 0.0131) was noted. There was a positive correlation between age and resilience scores (r = 0.42; p < 0.01). Discussion: Despite a slight overall increase in resilience, the decline in Perseverance is concerning, indicating potential growing mental health challenges as students progress. Small age differences significantly influence mental health outcomes. This decline may be related to increased academic stress, exposure to emotionally challenging clinical situations, and the cumulative effects of the “costs of caring”. Conclusions: Nursing students exhibit promising resilience levels, yet there is a critical need for interventions targeting Perseverance to enhance academic performance and patient care quality. Social Impact: This study contributes to the development of educational strategies designed to promote resilience, thereby potentially improving the mental health and academic performance of nursing students. By focusing on mental well-being, a more resilient healthcare workforce can be cultivated and better prepared to meet systemic challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • William Donegá Martinez & Tiago Casaleiro & João Daniel de Souza Menezes & Matheus Querino da Silva & Emerson Roberto dos Santos & Rauer Ferreira Franco & Alex Bertolazzo Quiterio & Thales Guardia de , 2025. "Mental Health and Resilience in Nursing Students: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:735-:d:1650001
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