Relación entre la soledad y el malestar psicológico en estudiantes universitarios de Cuenca, Ecuador: un estudio correlacional
Relationship between loneliness and psychological malaise among university students in Cuenca, Ecuador: a correlational studyBarra lateral del artículo
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Introducción: La transición a la educación superior expone a los estudiantes a estresores psicosociales que incrementan su vulnerabilidad emocional. Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre la soledad percibida y el malestar psicológico en estudiantes de segundo ciclo de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador, en función del sexo y de la condición de movilidad. Método: Se desarrolló una investigación cuantitativa, no experimental, transversal y correlacional; con una muestra de 83 estudiantes seleccionados mediante muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, a los que se aplicaron los instrumentos Escala de Soledad UCLA (versión 3) y Escala de Malestar Psicológico K-10. Resultados: El análisis identificó una correlación positiva de intensidad moderada y con significancia estadística entre ambas variables (Rho = 0.39, p < .001); predominaron niveles extremos de malestar psicológico (48.20%) y soledad moderada-baja (28.90%), sin diferencias significativas según sexo ni condición de movilidad. Conclusión: A mayor puntuación de soledad percibida, mayor malestar psicológico en la muestra evaluada.
Introduction: The transition to higher education exposes students to psychosocial stressors that increase their emotional vulnerability. Objective: To analyze the relationship between perceived loneliness and psychological distress among second-cycle students in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Cuenca, Ecuador, according to sex and mobility status. Method: A quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with a sample of 83 students selected through nonprobability convenience sampling. Participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Results: The analysis revealed a statistically significant, moderate positive correlation between the two variables (rho = .39, p < .001). Extremely high levels of psychological distress (48.20%) and moderate-to-low levels of loneliness (28.90%) were predominant, with no statistically significant differences according to sex or mobility status. Conclusion: Higher perceived loneliness scores were associated with greater psychological distress in the sample studied.
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