Strict sensu postgraduation and student illness in the brazilian semi-arid: study on the incidence of stress

Abstract

This research aimed to identify, according to master's students and graduates of the PLURD area in the Brazilian semi-arid region, the level of stress and the variables associated with it, as well as student illness in the postgraduate environment. 88 subjects from two postgraduate prgrams located in the Brazilian semi-arid region participated in the study. The method was based on descriptive and field research with a quantitative-qualitative approach and a non-probabili tic sample using the complementary snowball technique. To this end, data on socioeconomic profile, academic training, professional performance, health conditions and self-perception were collected, as well as the Perceived Stress Scale, version with 14 items, was applied. The results revealed that the sample's stress level was above the midpoint of the scale, reaching 30.5, with emphasis on: being irritated because things that happen are beyond your control; feel ne vous and stressed; and found himself thinking about the things he should do. Furthermore, in this study, women were the most affected by stress and 57% of researchers reported that po tgraduate studies negatively influenced their mental health. The findings of this research co firm the importance of studying stress in stricto sensu postgraduate students and graduates.