# Factors associated with extensions and withdrawals from stricto sensu graduate programs in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: emphasis on mental health

## TL;DR

This study examines how the pandemic affected graduate students in Brazil, showing that mental health and academic challenges led to course extensions and withdrawals.

## Contribution

The paper identifies specific mental health and academic factors linked to graduate program extensions and withdrawals during the pandemic in Brazil.

## Key findings

- 38% of graduate students extended their courses and 4.8% withdrew during the pandemic.
- Mental health issues and academic difficulties were strongly associated with both extensions and withdrawals.
- Being a scholarship holder reduced the chance of withdrawal by 50%.

## Abstract

to analyze the factors associated with extension of the completion deadline and the course withdrawals by Brazilian students enrolled in stricto sensu graduate programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with emphasis on mental health.

cross-sectional analytical study conducted with 5,286 graduate students enrolled in 2022. Data were collected through an electronic form that contained sociodemographic, academic, and health information, including a history of mental disorders. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using logistic regression through R software.

the study found that 38% of participants extended their courses and 4.8% withdrew from enrollment. Extension was associated with pursuing a doctorate, studying Engineering or Biological Sciences, reporting training difficulties, and presenting mental health problems. Participation in remote classes and a previous diagnosis of hypertension emerged as protective factors. Withdrawal was associated with having children, studying Engineering, facing pandemic difficulties, presenting mental health problems, and having a history of academic leave. Being a scholarship holder was a protective factor, reducing the chances of withdrawal by 50%.

the findings indicate that extensions and withdrawals are related to academic, personal and health factors, highlighting the need for institutional policies that promote comprehensive support, with special attention to mental health and retention in graduate programs.

(1) 38% of graduate students extended their courses and 4.8% withdrew. (2) Academic difficulties and mental health impacted extensions and withdrawals. (3) Being a scholarship holder reduced the chance of withdrawing by 50%. (4) Remote classes were a protective factor against course extension. (5) Educational policies should promote academic support and mental well-being.

analisar os fatores associados à prorrogação de prazo de conclusão e ao trancamento de curso por discentes brasileiros matriculados em programas de pós-graduação stricto sensu no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19, com ênfase na saúde mental.

estudo transversal analítico, realizado com 5.286 pós-graduandos matriculados no ano de 2022. Os dados foram coletados por meio de formulário eletrônico com informações sociodemográficas, acadêmicas e de saúde, incluindo histórico de transtornos mentais. Empregou-se análise estatística descritiva e inferencial, com regressão logística, por meio do software R.

verificou-se que 38% dos participantes prorrogaram seus cursos e 4,8% trancaram a matrícula. A prorrogação esteve associada a cursar doutorado, Engenharias ou Ciências Biológicas, relatar dificuldades na formação e apresentar problemas de saúde mental. Participação em aulas remotas e diagnóstico prévio de hipertensão emergiram como fatores protetores. O trancamento associou-se a ter filhos, cursar Engenharia, enfrentar dificuldades na pandemia, apresentar problemas de saúde mental e histórico de afastamento acadêmico. Ser bolsista foi fator protetor, reduzindo em 50% as chances de trancamento.

os achados indicam que a prorrogação e o trancamento estão relacionados aos fatores acadêmicos, pessoais e de saúde, o que evidencia a necessidade de políticas institucionais promotoras de suporte integral, com atenção especial à saúde mental e à permanência na pós-graduação.

(1) 38% dos pós-graduandos prorrogaram o curso e 4,8% trancaram suas matrículas. (2) Dificuldades acadêmicas e saúde mental impactaram prorrogação e trancamento. (3) Ser bolsista reduziu em 50% a chance de trancamento da pós-graduação. (4) Aulas remotas foram fator protetor para a prorrogação do curso. (5) Políticas educacionais devem promover suporte acadêmico e bem-estar mental.

analizar los factores asociados a la prórroga del plazo de finalización y a la suspensión de cursos entre estudiantes brasileños matriculados en programas de postgrado stricto sensu durante la pandemia de COVID-19, con énfasis en la salud mental.

estudio transversal analítico realizado con 5.286 estudiantes de postgrado matriculados en 2022. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un formulario electrónico con información sociodemográfica, académica y de salud, que incluía antecedentes de trastornos mentales. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial, con regresión logística utilizando el software R.

se constató que el 38% de los participantes extendió sus cursos y el 4,8% suspendió su matrícula. Las extensiones se asociaron con la realización de carreras de Doctorado, Ingeniería o Ciencias Biológicas, el reporte de dificultades en la formación y la presentación de problemas de salud mental. La participación en clases remotas y un diagnóstico previo de hipertensión emergieron como factores protectores. La suspensión de estudios se asoció con tener hijos, estudiar Ingeniería, enfrentar dificultades durante la pandemia, presentar problemas de salud mental y antecedentes de abandono académico. Ser becario fue un factor protector y redujo las probabilidades de suspensión en un 50%

los hallazgos indican que las prórrogas y suspensiones están relacionadas con factores académicos, personales y de salud y resaltan la necesidad de políticas institucionales que promuevan el apoyo integral, con especial atención a la salud mental y la retención académica de los estudios de postgrado.

(1) El 38% de los estudiantes de postgrado prorrogaron el curso y el 4,8% suspendieron sus matrículas. (2) Dificultades académicas y de salud mental impactaron en las prórrogas y suspensiones. (3) Ser becario redujo en un 50% la posibilidad de suspender los estudios de postgrado. (4) Las clases remotas fueron un factor protector para las prórrogas de los cursos. (5) Las políticas educativas deben promover el apoyo académico y el bienestar mental.