A saúde mental dos pós-graduandos e suas estratégias de Coping à luz do método Photovoice

Abstract

This research aimed to understand the perception of Master's and Doctoral students in the Graduate Program in Nursing at the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel) regarding their mental health and the coping and self-care strategies they adopted to minimize psychosocial impacts. Coping refers to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral mechanisms used for dealing with stressful situations, while self-care involves preventive practices that promote physical and mental balance.The study employs the Photovoice method, a qualitative approach that combines photography and narratives to capture the participants' subjective experiences. Developed by Caroline Wang and Mary Ann Burris in the 1990s, Photovoice is rooted in Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy, encouraging reflection and empowerment through visual expression and collective dialogue. This methodology allowed graduate students to document and discuss their mental health, facilitating the identification of risk factors and coping strategies. The study aims to understand the perception of Master’s and Doctoral students in the Graduate Program in Nursing at UFPel regarding their mental health and coping strategies, using the Photovoice Method. It is a qualitative study conducted at the UFPel School of Nursing, located in the city of Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Data collection took place in December 2024 and January 2025, following approval by the Research Ethics Committee under Opinion No. 7.035.519. In the first phase, the ten participants produced images representing their mental health and coping and/or self-care strategies. In the second phase, a discursive interview was conducted, with each interview lasting an average of 13.5 minutes, and thematic analysis was applied to the results.The findings revealed that students face high levels of anxiety and stress due to the pressure to publish, balancing academic and personal life, and uncertainties about their professional future. Strategies such as time management, psychological support, physical activity, and social support networks are commonly reported as ways to mitigate these effects. However, the lack of effective institutional policies and the reduction in scholarship funding worsen the situation, demanding a structural revision of graduate programs. In summary, the study sought not only to identify the problems but also to propose actions that promote a healthier, more collaborative, and less exclusionary academic culture. Valuing mental health and implementing institutional support systems are essential to ensure researchers’ well being and, consequently, the quality of national scientific production.