Understanding the use of psychotropic drugs among Nursing students: a Quaternary Prevention perspective

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1806-6976.smad.2025.215052

Keywords:

Quaternary Prevention, Psychotropic Drugs, Nursing Students, Nursing

Abstract

Objective: to understand the perception of undergraduate Nursing students and the reasons that lead to the use of psychotropic drugs, from the perspective of Quaternary Prevention. Methodology: descriptive-exploratory qualitative research, carried out with 15 undergraduate Nursing students. The information was obtained through a questionnaire and focus groups, and interpreted based on Thematic Analysis. Results: of the participants, eight university students do not use medication and seven are users. Four categories emerged: 1) Factors that trigger psychological distress in university students; 2) Feelings and weaknesses of university students regarding the use of psychotropic drugs; 3) Access to psychotropic drugs; and 4) Practices that contribute to minimizing the use of psychotropic drugs. Conclusion: from the perspective of Quaternary Prevention, the sometimes exaggerated or unnecessary use of psychotropic drugs results in the risk of overmedicalization and illness. The nurse needs to be aware and become an agent promoting Quaternary Prevention.

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Author Biographies

  • Amanda Bandeira Scopel, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brasil

    Acadêmica do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC).

  • Débora Bianca Surdi, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brasil

    Acadêmica do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC).

  • Andrea Noeremberg Guimarães, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brasil

    Professora Adjunta do Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC). 

  • Carine Vendruscolo, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brasil

    Professora Associada do Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), na Graduação e Mestrado Profissional em Enfermagem na Atenção Primária à Saúde.

  • Leila Zanatta, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Chapecó, SC, Brasil

    Professora adjunta do Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC), vinculada ao Mestrado Profissional em Enfermagem na Atenção Primária à Saúde.

  • Daiana Kloh Khalaf, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brasil

    Professora Adjunta do Departamento de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), na Graduação, área Saúde Coletiva e, nos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem e Prática do Cuidado em Saúde.

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Published

2025-04-04

Issue

Vol. 21 (2025): SMAD, Revista Eletrônica Saúde Mental, Álcool e Drogas

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2025 SMAD Revista Eletrônica Saúde Mental Álcool e Drogas (Edição em Português)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Scopel, A. B., Surdi, D. B., Guimarães, A. N., Vendruscolo, C., Zanatta, L., & Khalaf, D. K. (2025). Understanding the use of psychotropic drugs among Nursing students: a Quaternary Prevention perspective. SMAD Revista Eletrônica Saúde Mental Álcool E Drogas (Edição Em Português), 21, e-215052. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1806-6976.smad.2025.215052