Mental Health and Social Skills among First-Year Psychology Students in Public and Private Universities

Sep 5, 2026

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University students’ mental health is shaped by institutional characteristics and individual student profiles. This study compared first-year psychology students from private (46) and public (37) universities on sociodemographic variables, mental health indicators—depression and anxiety—and social skills repertoire. Students in the private sector showed higher anxiety and greater interpersonal difficulties, while depression did not differ significantly. Mental health problems related to being female, a narrower social skills repertoire, and increased interpersonal difficulties.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

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Abstract

Study aim and comparison

Measures and key findings

Associations and implications

Publication status: This preprint has not been published elsewhere. Mental Health and Social Skills among First-Year Psychology Students in Public and Private Universities Giovanna Belei-Miyazaki, Eduardo Santos Miyazaki, Maria Cristina de Oliveira Santos Miyazaki, Alessandra Turini Bolsoni-Silva [https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3606](https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3606) Submitted on: 2026-05-07 Posted on: 2026-05-08 (version 1)(YYYY-MM-DD) SciELO Preprints-This document is a preprint and its current status is available at: [https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.16047](https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.16047) Paidéia 2026, Vol. 36, e3606.[https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3606](https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-4327e3606) [ISSN 1982-4327](ISSN 1982-4327) ([online version](online version)) Developmental Psychology Mental Health and Social Skills among First-Year Psychology Students in Public and Private Universities Giovanna Belei-Miyazaki1 [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7436-7150](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7436-7150) Eduardo Santos Miyazaki1 [https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9926-1347](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9926-1347)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9926-1347)Maria Cristina Oliveira Santos Miyazaki1 [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6792-4529](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6792-4529)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6792-4529)Alessandra Turini Bolsoni-Silva2 [https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8091-9583](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8091-9583) Abstract: University students’ mental health is influenced by multiple factors, including institutional characteristics and student profiles. This study aimed to characterize and compare psychology students from two types of institutions (46 from a private university and 37 from a public university) in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, mental health (depression and anxiety), and social skills repertoire. Students from the private institution presented higher levels of anxiety and interpersonal difficulties, whereas no significant differences in depression were observed between groups. Mental health problems were associated with being female, a more limited social skills repertoire, and greater interpersonal difficulties. These findings contribute to the development of public policies in both educational and social domains, aiming to promote mental health and enhance students’ career adaptability in an increasingly dynamic and uncertain context. 1Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto – FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brazil 2 Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho – UNESP, Bauru-SP, Brazil. This article is derived from the first author's doctoral dissertation, supervised by the latter, defended in 2022 in the Graduate Program in Developmental and Learning Psychology at the São Paulo State University Julio de Mesquita Filho-UNESP, Bauru campus. Correspondence address: Giovanna Belei-Miyazaki. Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, Vila São Pedro, São José do Rio Preto-SP, Brasil. CEP: [15090-000. giovannabelei@gmail.com](15090-000. giovannabelei@gmail.com) SciELO Preprints-This document is a preprint and its current status is available at: [https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.16047](https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.16047)[ ](https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.16047)Paidéia, 36, e3606 Keywords: anxiety, depression, social skills, university students, higher education institutions Saúde Mental e Habilidades Sociais de Ingressantes em Psicologia de Faculdades Pública e Privada Resumo: A saúde mental do universitário é influenciada por vários fatores e particularidades da instituição de ensino e perfil de seus estudantes podem fazer parte dessas variáveis. Este estudo objetivou caracterizar e comparar estudantes de dois tipos de faculdades (48 alunos defaculdade privada e 37 de pública) com relação as características sociodemográficas, saúde mental (depressão e ansiedade) e habilidades sociais. Estudan

FAQs

What was the study’s main objective?

To characterize and compare first-year psychology students from private and public universities regarding sociodemographic characteristics, mental health (depression and anxiety), and social skills repertoire.

How did anxiety and depression differ between private and public university students?

Private university students showed higher anxiety and more interpersonal difficulties, while no significant differences in depression were observed between groups.

What factors were associated with mental health problems?

Mental health problems were associated with being female, a more limited social skills repertoire, and greater interpersonal difficulties.

Sep 5, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda