Irrational use of psychotropic drugs and quaternary prevention: culture circle with university students

Abstract

Objective: To promote reflection among undergraduate nursing students on the consequences of the irrational use of psychotropic drugs in light of Quaternary Prevention. Method: Participatory research, carried out with 15 undergraduate Nursing students, regularly enrolled in the course, and selected during an elective course. The information was obtained through two Culture Circles, in three stages: thematic investigation, coding and decoding, and critical unveiling. These were analyzed concurrently with their collection, as specified in the method. Results: Three themes emerged: 1) University generates anxiety. Anxiety and fear lead to medicalization; 2) The university community needs to have empathy and propose alternatives; 3) People need to learn about emotional expression and alternatives to suffering. The perceptions touch on what the literature presents about Quaternary Prevention concerning the misuse of psychotropic drugs, as well as the need to encourage the use of alternative practices among them. Final Considerations: The university context causes anxiety and can lead to sometimes unnecessary medicalization. Participatory research contributed to problematizing the topic, encouraging students to reflect, and presented potential behavior change.