Influence of self-efficiency beliefs on the health and well-being of university students in COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze general self-efficacy beliefs in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and their correlation with psychological well-being and anxiety and depressive symptoms. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, carried out with nursing, medicine and psychology students from a higher education institution in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The sample consisted of 329 students and data collection took place through a questionnaire and scales, from August to December 2020. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for analysis of the variables. RESULTS: Participants' self-efficacy was median (34.3±7.5). Higher self-efficacy scores were correlated with better psychological well-being (p<0.001; r= -0.582) and absence of anxiety (p<0.001) and depressive (p<0.001) symptoms. CONCLUSION: High self-efficacy beliefs were associated with better mental health outcomes. Strengthening self-efficacy in universities can help improve students' health behaviors and prevent mental illness.

Influence of self-efficiency beliefs on the health and well-being of university students in COVID-19 / Influencia de las creencias de autoeficiencia en la salud y el bienestar de los estudiantes universitarios en COVID-19 / Influência das crenças de autoeficácia na saúde e bem-estar de estudantes universitários na COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze general self-efficacy beliefs in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and their correlation with psychological well-being and anxiety and depressive symptoms. Method: Cross-sectional study, carried out with nursing, medicine and psychology students from a higher education institution in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The sample consisted of 329 students and data collection took place through a questionnaire and scales, from August to December 2020. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for analysis of the variables. Results: Participants' self-efficacy was median (34.3±7.5). Higher self-efficacy scores were correlated with better psychological well-being (p<0.001; r= -0.582) and absence of anxiety (p<0.001) and depressive (p<0.001) symptoms. Conclusion: High self-efficacy beliefs were associated with better mental health outcomes. Strengthening self-efficacy in universities can help improve students' health behaviors and prevent mental illness.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las creencias generales de autoeficacia en estudiantes universitarios durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y su correlación con el bienestar psicológico y la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva. Método: Estudio transversal, realizado con estudiantes de enfermería, medicina y psicología de una institución de enseñanza superior del estado de São Paulo, Brasil. La muestra estuvo conformada por 329 estudiantes y la recolección de datos se realizó a través de cuestionario y escalas, de agosto a diciembre de 2020. Para el análisis de las variables se utilizó la prueba de Mann-Whitney y el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. Resultados: La autoeficacia de los participantes fue mediana (34,3±7,5). Las puntuaciones más altas de autoeficacia se correlacionaron con un mejor bienestar psicológico (p<0,001; r= -0,582) y ausencia de síntomas de ansiedad (p<0,001) y depresivos (p<0,001). Conclusión: Las creencias de alta autoeficacia se asociaron con mejores resultados de salud mental. Fortalecer la autoeficacia en las universidades puede ayudar a mejorar los comportamientos de salud de los estudiantes y prevenir enfermedades mentales.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as crenças de autoeficácia geral em universitários, durante a pandemia da covid-19 e sua correlação com bem-estar psicológico e sintomas ansiosos e depressivos. Método: Estudo transversal, desenvolvido com estudantes de enfermagem, medicina e psicologia de instituição de ensino superior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A amostra foi de 329 estudantes e a coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de questionário e escalas, de agosto a dezembro de 2020.Utilizaram-se o teste Mann-Whitney e coeficiente de correlação de Spearman para análise das variáveis. Resultados: A autoeficácia dos participantes foi mediana (34,3±7,5). Maiores escores de autoeficácia foram correlacionados a melhor estado de bem-estar psicológico (p<0,001; r= -0,582) e ausência de sintomas ansiosos (p<0,001) e depressivos (p<0,001). Conclusão: Crenças elevadas de autoeficácia foram associadas a melhores desfechos em saúde mental. O fortalecimento da autoeficácia nas universidades pode ajudar a melhorar os comportamentos de saúde dos estudantes e prevenir doenças mentais.