Abstract
Objective: To analyze the effects of the relationship between stress and depression problems in the use of coping of medical students. Methods: Cross-sectional, correlational, quantitative research conducted with students of the Centro Universitário de Patos, Patos-PB. For data collection were used three validated questionnaires in Brazil on coping, stress and depression. Data were analyzed from descriptive statistics of relative and absolute frequency and inferential tests of Pearson Correlations. Results: The "confrontation" strategy correlated positively with the alert and resistance phases (ρ = 0.20, ρ = 0.18, p <0.05), the "escape and avoidance" strategy, positively with the stress resistance and depression (ρ = 0.20, ρ = 0.27, p <0.05). Conclusion: The relationship between mental health problems and the use of coping among medical students was important to support reflections, discussions and actions aimed at the care of students.