Severidade de sintomas ansiosos em ingressantes da pós-graduação durante a pandemia da COVID-19

Objective: to assess the severity of anxiety symptoms in first-year research-focused (stricto sensu) postgraduate students and their associations with psychosocial and academic factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: this was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted at a public university with 321 first-year research-focused postgraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected via an online form. Associated factors were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: the sample presented an average anxiety score consistent with moderate anxiety. Factors such as depressive symptoms, a history of psychological violence in the past 12 months, lack of vaccination, non-compliance with social distancing, and pressure for productivity were significantly associated with increased severity of anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: moderate levels of anxiety symptoms in this group highlights the need for preventive strategies and targeted interventions for mental health at the very beginning of postgraduate studies. Contributions to practice: mental health professionals and educators should be attentive to the specific emotional demands of first-year postgraduate students, proposing initiatives that foster supportive and healthy environments, while also considering less traditional risk factors, such as academic stressors. Additionally, the findings reinforce the negative impact of COVID-19 on students' mental health.