Psychosocial Factors and Cultural and Communicative Aspects for the Design of a Social Knowledge Appropriation Strategy to Strengthen Mental Health Promotion and Prevention in University Students in Montería, Colombia, and Cuenca, Ecuador. UPB-UPS

This research project focuses on addressing mental health among university students in Montería, Colombia, and Cuenca, Ecuador, through the design and implementation of a social knowledge appropriation strategy. The main goal is to analyze psychosocial factors, as well as cultural and communicative beliefs influencing mental health promotion and prevention, especially following the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodology employed is mixed, divided into four phases: a quantitative study to assess risks and protective factors, followed by a qualitative study to identify cultural and communicative beliefs. Subsequently, relationship matrices between both results will be developed. Finally, a social knowledge appropriation strategy will be designed, based on science communication-education and linked to the previously developed SAM digital application. Expected outcomes include the generation of new knowledge in Q2 journals, human resource training, and the delivery of a social knowledge appropriation product, aiming to improve the perception and comprehensive care of mental health in the selected student population.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To analyze psychosocial factors and cultural and communicative aspects in university students from Montería (Colombia) and Cuenca (Ecuador) to design and implement a social knowledge appropriation strategy that strengthens mental health promotion and prevention.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Education, communication and interculturality