Academic violence and mental health in medical students

Authors

Abstract

Aggressions, abuse, and mistreatment experienced by medical students include racial, sexual,
and/or ethnic discrimination, public humiliation, unfair evaluations, and deprivation of opportunities.
This cross-sectional, quantitative study included 195 medical students from a university in southern
Brazil. Sociodemographic questionnaires on experiences of institutional violence and a screening tool for
common mental disorders were administered. Data collection took place between March and April 2024.
The prevalence of common mental disorders was 46.67%, which was significantly associated with verbal
aggression (“shouting or yelling,” p=0.035; OR=7.27) and derogatory comments about the future medical
specialty (p=0.039; OR=3.01). The main perpetrators were physicians (71.4%). The results highlight
the urgent need for institutional and pedagogical interventions that prevent these practices, promote
healthier academic environments, and offer psychological support to students throughout their training.

Keywords:

transtornos mentais, estudantes de medicina, assédio escolar

Author Biographies

Luana Martins de Oliveira, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa/PR, Brasil.

Luana Martins de Oliveira – Graduanda – luanamartinsv9@gmail.com
0009-0003-1653-3127

Tatiana Menezes Garcia Cordeiro, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa/PR, Brasil.

Tatiana Menezes Garcia Cordeiro – Mestre – tatimenezes@gmail.com
0000-0002-9027-320X

Ricardo Gomes, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa/PR, Brasil.

Ricardo Gomes – Doutor – zanetticons@uol.com.br
0000-0002-9651-8298

Flamarion de Barros Cordeiro, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa/PR, Brasil.

Flamarion de Barros Cordeiro – Mestre – flamacordeiro@uol.com.br
0000-0002-3929-3985

Felício de Freitas Netto, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, Ponta Grossa/PR, Brasil.

Felício de Freitas Netto – Especialista – feliciofnetto@gmail.com
0000-0002-1274-1979

Vol. 34 (2026): Continuous publication

Published:

2026-05-15

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-803420263990PT

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How to Cite

1.
Martins de Oliveira L, Garcia Cordeiro TM, Gomes R, de Barros Cordeiro F, de Freitas Netto F. Academic violence and mental health in medical students. Rev. Bioét. [Internet]. 2026 May 15 [cited 2026 May 15];34. Available from: https://revistabioetica.cfm.org.br/revista_bioetica/article/view/3990

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