Migração e saúde mental: um estudo com acadêmicos de medicina

Abstract

Objective: To compare the prevalence of Common Mental Disorder (CMD) between local and migrant medical students in Amapá. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, observational, and analytical study with a quantitative approach. Data collection was conducted using a self-developed sociodemographic questionnaire to characterize the participants, as well as the Self Report Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20), selected for its psychometric properties in identifying emotional disorders. Results: Of the 20 symptoms assessed by the SRQ-20, 16 were more prevalent among migrants. Feeling nervous, tense, or worried was reported by 76.9% of local students and 83.3% of migrant students, being the most common symptom in both groups. Somatic symptoms such as headaches, difficulty sleeping, and lack of appetite were more frequent among migrants. However, suicidal ideation was more reported by locals (9.3% vs. 1.9%). While 33.3% of migrants and 27,8% of locals reported having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, the majority of students, both local and migrant, did not seek professional psychological support. Conclusions: Psychological distress symptoms were common in both groups, reflecting the stress levels and heavy academic workload of the medical course. Despite this, the prevalence of CMD was statistically higher among migrants, suggesting additional challenges imposed by the adaptation process and loss of social support networks associated with the migrant status.