Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay
Background: This study examined the prevalence of mental health issues among Paraguayan researchers and their relationships with emotional regulation and psychosocial factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 235 researchers was conducted using validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/1/65 |
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| author | Julio Torales Anthon Torres-Romero Iván Barrios Marcelo O’Higgins Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia Antonio Ventriglio |
| author_facet | Julio Torales Anthon Torres-Romero Iván Barrios Marcelo O’Higgins Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia Antonio Ventriglio |
| author_sort | Julio Torales |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: This study examined the prevalence of mental health issues among Paraguayan researchers and their relationships with emotional regulation and psychosocial factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 235 researchers was conducted using validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ); and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Sociodemographic, academic, and behavioral variables were also analyzed. Results: Findings revealed significant rates of depression (26.4%), anxiety (30.6%), and stress (32.3%), with female researchers reporting nearly twice the rates of anxiety and stress compared to males. Researchers with doctoral degrees exhibited lower anxiety levels, emphasizing the protective role of advanced academic qualifications. Conversely, younger and early-career researchers were more vulnerable to psychological distress. High job demands and emotional dysregulation were strongly associated with poorer mental health outcomes, while hazardous alcohol consumption and low physical activity further exacerbated risks. Conclusions: These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional reforms to prioritize mental health and well-being in academic environments. By advancing the understanding of occupational health in resource-limited settings, this study provides actionable recommendations to improve the working conditions and mental health of researchers in Paraguay and beyond. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-582c084aeff44befb1450584d5329ac5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-582c084aeff44befb1450584d5329ac52025-01-24T13:25:51ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-01-011516510.3390/brainsci15010065Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from ParaguayJulio Torales0Anthon Torres-Romero1Iván Barrios2Marcelo O’Higgins3Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez4João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia5Antonio Ventriglio6Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Cátedra de Psicología Médica, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 111421, ParaguayFacultad de Ciencias Médicas, Cátedra de Psicología Médica, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 111421, ParaguayFacultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Sudamericana, Salto del Guairá 140101, ParaguayFacultad de Ciencias Médicas, Cátedra de Psicología Médica, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 111421, ParaguayFacultad de Psicología, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima 15067, PeruDepartment of Neuroscience, Fundação do ABC, Santo André 09070870, SP, BrazilDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Pinto n. 1, 71121 Foggia, ItalyBackground: This study examined the prevalence of mental health issues among Paraguayan researchers and their relationships with emotional regulation and psychosocial factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 235 researchers was conducted using validated instruments: the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ); and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Sociodemographic, academic, and behavioral variables were also analyzed. Results: Findings revealed significant rates of depression (26.4%), anxiety (30.6%), and stress (32.3%), with female researchers reporting nearly twice the rates of anxiety and stress compared to males. Researchers with doctoral degrees exhibited lower anxiety levels, emphasizing the protective role of advanced academic qualifications. Conversely, younger and early-career researchers were more vulnerable to psychological distress. High job demands and emotional dysregulation were strongly associated with poorer mental health outcomes, while hazardous alcohol consumption and low physical activity further exacerbated risks. Conclusions: These findings highlight the urgent need for institutional reforms to prioritize mental health and well-being in academic environments. By advancing the understanding of occupational health in resource-limited settings, this study provides actionable recommendations to improve the working conditions and mental health of researchers in Paraguay and beyond.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/1/65anxietydepressionpsychological stresswork-related stressemotional regulation |
| spellingShingle | Julio Torales Anthon Torres-Romero Iván Barrios Marcelo O’Higgins Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia Antonio Ventriglio Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay Brain Sciences anxiety depression psychological stress work-related stress emotional regulation |
| title | Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay |
| title_full | Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay |
| title_fullStr | Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay |
| title_short | Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Psychosocial Work Factors Among Scientific Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Paraguay |
| title_sort | mental health emotional regulation and psychosocial work factors among scientific researchers a cross sectional study from paraguay |
| topic | anxiety depression psychological stress work-related stress emotional regulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/1/65 |
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