Features of the psycho-emotional state in students of the bachelor's level Nursing specialty worldwide and in Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/2411-1597.2026.2.16473Keywords:
nursing, medical education, psycho-emotional state, depression, addictive behaviorAbstract
Introduction. Education within nursing programs is associated with substantial risks to mental health due to increased academic workload, high requirements regarding the quality of knowledge and professional skills, occupational stress, and adaptation difficulties. The investigation of the current state and predictors of psycho-emotional disturbances constitutes an important prerequisite for preserving mental health and ensuring the professional realization of nurses.
The aim of the study – to assess the prevalence and severity of depressive manifestations and addictive behavior among first-cycle (bachelor’s level) higher education students enrolled in specialty I5 «Nursing» and to analyze contemporary scientific literature concerning the prevalence, determinants, and trends of psycho-emotional disorders among nursing students.
The main part. Nursing students demonstrated a relatively low level of depression severity (12.00±6.21 points according to the A. Beck Depression Scale), with a predominance of individuals showing no signs of depression (52.6 %) and a considerable proportion exhibiting mild mood disturbances (15.8 %). At the same time, signs of borderline depression were identified in 23.7 % of students, moderate depression in 5.3 %, and severe depression in 2.6 %. Manifestations of addictive behavior were also common among nursing students, including alcohol consumption (occasional – 47.4 %, regular – 5.2 %), tobacco smoking (5.3 % and 2.6 %, respectively), use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices (31.6 % and 13.1 %, respectively), as well as the use of psychotropic medications (21.1 % and 5.2 %, respectively). Overall, the prevalence of depressive manifestations and addictive behavior among nursing students corresponds to similar indicators reported among students specializing in «Medicine». The analysis of contemporary scientific literature confirms the considerable susceptibility of nursing students to depressive, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, as well as manifestations of addictive behavior, thereby substantiating the feasibility of integrating psychoprophylactic, psychocorrective, and psychotherapeutic measures into the educational process of future nurses’ training.
Conclusions. The majority of students enrolled in nursing programs demonstrate either the absence of depressive symptoms or only mild mood disturbances. However, the presence of a substantial proportion of students with signs of moderate and severe depression, as well as manifestations of addictive behavior, necessitates the development of comprehensive psychological support programs and their integration into the educational process of nursing specialist training.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Valentyna Chorna, Вікторія Petrushenko, Oleksandr Belov, Liudmyla Matusevych, Nataliia Ratsyborynska-Polуakova
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