Emotional suffering and strengthening of nursing undergraduate students expressed in social media

an analysis addressed to coping actions

Abstract

Emotional suffering of university students has been the subject of research and concern of educational institutions. They have manifested physical and psychic distress as a result of the drain of their physical or mental resources; however, university courses do not provide spaces to support students to face the problems. Supporting practices must start from the identification of the roots of the problems presented by university students. Undergraduate students are in the youth stage, which is experienced in a heterogeneous way, as a consequence of their social class conditions that, therefore determine distinct possibilities of coping with the suffering. Objective: to identify and analyze the roots of the emotional suffering expressed by undergraduate students. Methodology: a descriptive-exploratory study that analyzed the nursing undergraduate students’ posts on social media. Results: the roots of emotional suffering were mostly related with academic life situations and the volume of academic activities. On the other hand, the potential strengths expressed were mostly related to extracurricular activities and relationships. The results of the research were sent to the Bachelor’s Committee and presented to undergraduate students of the School of Nursing of de University of Sao Paulo. As a result of the research, workshops were held with the voluntary participation of these undergraduates. Final considerations: from the results of the present study, it is possible to affirm that the educational institutions should take on the responsibility of recognizing the students’ potential for strengthening and suffering and of promoting strategies addressed to them.