Síntomas de depresión, ansiedad, satisfacción con la vida y su relación con la actitud hacia la búsqueda de atención psicológica en estudiantes de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras.

Abstract

This research analyzes the relationship between symptoms of depression, anxiety, satisfaction with life and attitude towards seeking psychological care in undergraduate students at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH). Based on the dual model of mental health, it is recognized that psychological well-being does not depend only on the absence of mental disorders, but also on personal flourishing. The study is based on an exhaustive theoretical review and empirical data collected through a survey applied to a sample of 906 university students during the third academic period of 2023. The results reveal that, although many students recognize the importance of mental health, ambivalent or negative attitudes towards seeking professional psychological care persist. These attitudes are influenced by factors such as stigma, social perception, a lack of knowledge about available services, and personal experiences. Likewise, significant differences were identified according to gender, age and area of study, with women and humanities students showing a greater willingness to seek help. The research shows that low satisfaction with life and the presence of depressive or anxious symptoms are associated with a lower willingness to seek support, which suggests a cycle of emotional vulnerability.