Torales Julio, Torres-Romero Anthon, Barrios Iván, O'Higgins Marcelo, Caycho-Rodríguez Tomás, Castaldelli-Maia João Mauricio, Ventriglio Antonio
Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Cátedra de Psicología Médica, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 111421, Paraguay.
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Sudamericana, Salto del Guairá 140101, Paraguay.
Brain Sci. 2025 Jan 13;15(1):65. doi: 10.3390/brainsci15010065.
This study examined the prevalence of mental health issues among Paraguayan researchers and their relationships with emotional regulation and psychosocial factors.
A cross-sectional survey of 235 researchers was conducted using validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ); and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Sociodemographic, academic, and behavioral variables were also analyzed.
Findings revealed significant rates of depression (26.4%), anxiety (30.6%), and stress (32.3%), with female researchers reporting nearly twice the rates of anxiety and stress compared to males. Researchers with doctoral degrees exhibited lower anxiety levels, emphasizing the protective role of advanced academic qualifications. Conversely, younger and early-career researchers were more vulnerable to psychological distress. High job demands and emotional dysregulation were strongly associated with poorer mental health outcomes, while hazardous alcohol consumption and low physical activity further exacerbated risks.
These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional reforms to prioritize mental health and well-being in academic environments. By advancing the understanding of occupational health in resource-limited settings, this study provides actionable recommendations to improve the working conditions and mental health of researchers in Paraguay and beyond.
本研究调查了巴拉圭研究人员心理健康问题的患病率及其与情绪调节和社会心理因素的关系。
使用经过验证的工具对235名研究人员进行了横断面调查：抑郁、焦虑和压力量表（DASS-21）；工作内容问卷（JCQ）；以及情绪调节困难量表（DERS）。还分析了社会人口统计学、学术和行为变量。
研究结果显示，抑郁（26.4%）、焦虑（30.6%）和压力（32.3%）的发生率很高，女性研究人员报告的焦虑和压力发生率几乎是男性的两倍。拥有博士学位的研究人员焦虑水平较低，强调了高等学历的保护作用。相反，年轻和处于职业生涯早期的研究人员更容易受到心理困扰。高工作要求和情绪失调与较差的心理健康结果密切相关，而有害饮酒和低体力活动则进一步加剧了风险。
这些发现凸显了迫切需要进行机构改革，以便在学术环境中将心理健康和福祉放在优先位置。通过增进对资源有限环境中职业健康的理解，本研究提供了可采取行动的建议，以改善巴拉圭及其他地区研究人员的工作条件和心理健康。
