PREVENTIVE NURSING ACTIONS FOR THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH EMPHASIS ON NON-LOCAL STUDENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Keywords:
Anxiety; Depression; Nursing; University students; Mental healthAbstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18edespsep.0425
Abstract
Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders affecting university students and represent a public health concern because of their impact on well-being, academic performance, and quality of life. Non-local students are considered a particularly vulnerable population due to the academic, social, and emotional adjustment required after relocating and living away from their families. The objective of this systematic review was to identify preventive nursing actions for the early identification of anxiety and depression symptoms in university students, with emphasis on non-local students. The review followed the PRISMA 2020 statement through a systematic search of scientific literature published between January 2021 and June 2026 in PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and Redalyc, while Google Scholar was used as a complementary source. The available evidence indicates that the main nursing interventions include mental health education, screening strategies, psychoeducational support, strengthening coping skills, and timely referral to specialized services. These actions contribute to early symptom identification and the promotion of emotional well-being; however, evidence specifically focused on non-local students remains limited, highlighting the need for further research in this population.
Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Nursing; University students; Mental health.
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