Relación de la condición de foráneos y el apoyo social sobre la prevalencia de la ansiedad en estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Loja, Ecuador, durante el año 2026

Abstract

Abstract: The present study analyzed the relationship between foreign student status and perceived social support on the prevalence of anxiety in 99 foreign university students in the city of Loja, Ecuador, during the year 2026. A quantitative approach was used, with a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design. The instruments used were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire GAD-7 and the MOS Social Support Survey. The results evidenced a markedly high prevalence of anxiety symptoms, with 66.7% of participants at the severe level and 96.0% presenting some clinically identifiable level of anxiety. Regarding social support, moderate levels were identified across all evaluated dimensions, with positive social interaction being the highest rated dimension (M = 58.27) and instrumental support the lowest (M = 52.08). The correlational analysis revealed statistically significant negative correlations between anxiety and emotional/informational support (r = −0.105, p = .030), positive social interaction (r = −0.103, p = .034), and affective support (r = −0.105, p = .031), while instrumental support did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that perceived social support acts as a protective factor against anxiety in foreign students, with greater relevance in its emotional and interactional dimensions.