Depressive symptoms among nursing professionals: evidence from a university hospital in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34019/2446-5739.2026.v12.51588Keywords:
Depression, Nursing, COVID-19, Mental Health, EpidemiologyAbstract
Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre sintomas e níveis de depressão em profissionais de enfermagem em uma instituição hospitalar no período pandêmico da COVID-19, discutindo implicações para o cenário pós-pandêmico. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal, realizado em hospital universitário de Uberlândia (MG), com profissionais de enfermagem que assistiram pacientes com COVID-19. Aplicaram-se questionário sociodemográfico, econômico, laboral e o Inventário de Depressão Beck, via formulário eletrônico, e analisado no software R 3.6. Resultados: Participaram 290 profissionais, majoritariamente mulheres (71,7%), pardas (50,0%) e com formação técnica (60,3%), em sua maioria classificada com depressão mínima (75,6%). A prevalência de sintomas depressivos foi maior entre indivíduos com nível superior em enfermagem e carga horária igual ou superior a 40 horas. Onze sintomas do Inventário de Beck apresentaram significância. Conclusão: Os achados evidenciam sintomas-chave associados a esses profissionais e reforçam a necessidade de estratégias institucionais permanentes de prevenção, acolhimento e monitoramento em saúde mental no período pós-pandêmico.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the association between depressive symptoms and levels of depression among nursing professionals in a hospital institution during the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing implications for the post-pandemic scenario. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted at a university hospital in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, involving nursing professionals who provided care to patients with COVID-19. Sociodemographic, economic, and occupational questionnaires and the Beck Depression Inventory were administered via an electronic form, and data were analyzed using R software version 3.6. Results: A total of 290 professionals participated, predominantly women (71.7%), of mixed race (50.0%), and with technical-level training (60.3%), most of whom were classified as having minimal depression (75.6%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher among individuals with a higher education degree in nursing and a workload of 40 hours or more per week. Eleven symptoms from the Beck Depression Inventory showed statistical significance. Conclusion: The findings highlight key symptoms associated with these professionals and reinforce the need for permanent institutional strategies for prevention, support, and mental health monitoring in the post-pandemic period.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Amanda Michelly de Oliveira Balbino, Francyele Alves da Paixão Nobre, Cyro Rêgo Cabral Junior, Maria Cicera dos Santos de Albuquerque
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