Predictors of common mental disorders and psychiatric medication use among faculty members.

PURPOSE: Identify the predictors of common mental disorders (CMD) and psychiatric medication use by faculty members in different teaching units of a public university. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 253 faculty. FINDINGS: Being single, not having children, and not practicing physical activity were identified as predictors of CMD. Relative to psychiatric medication use, the predictors were the following: being homosexual, teaching classes in the biological sciences field, using medication for the urinary tract and sexual hormones, presenting mental disorder/sleep disorder diagnoses, and being positive for CMD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study may subsidize more effective interventions aimed toward protecting the health and preventing aggravation in these professionals, as well as measures for promoting changes in the university work context. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study on 253 faculty. FINDINGS: Being single, not having children, and not practicing physical activity were identified as predictors of CMD. Relative to psychiatric medication use, the predictors were the following: being homosexual, teaching classes in the biological sciences field, using medication for the urinary tract and sexual hormones, presenting mental disorder/sleep disorder diagnoses, and being positive for CMD. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study may subsidize more effective interventions aimed toward protecting the health and preventing aggravation in these professionals, as well as measures for promoting changes in the university work context.

The meaning of suicidal behaviour from the perspective of senior nursing undergraduate students.

The meaning ascribed to suicidal behaviours may influence the quality of the care provided to people at risk of suicide. Such a phenomenon has yet to be properly investigated amongst nursing undergraduate students, the aim of this study being to gain an understanding of the meanings of suicidal behaviour for a particular group of nurses. The study, which utilized grounded theory, was conducted in Brazil in 2016-2017 with 30 undergraduate students. The findings indicated that suicidal behaviour, classified according to the individual beliefs and judgements of the participants, presented a significant barrier to the delivery of care and was complex and multifaceted care phenomenon. Participants were often reluctant to discuss the topic, seemingly wanting to distance themselves from the care of persons exhibiting suicidal behaviour, and to avoid professional engagements relating to suicide prevention. Significant work is required in raising both an awareness and knowledge of suicidal behaviour befitting the promotion of tolerance, emotional competency, resilience, and empathy amongst nursing students.