Perceived Stress, Psychological Capital, and Psychological Distress Among Chinese Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have investigated variables related to psychological distress among nurses; however, the relationship among psychological capital, perceived stress, and psychological stress is poorly understood. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between psychological capital, psychological distress, and perceived stress, and examined the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between perceived stress and psychological distress.Methods: Responses to questionnaires to assess psychological capital, psychological distress, and perceived stress were collected from 369 nursing students in a tertiary hospital in Shandong Province, China.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in perceived stress among students, based on whether or not they liked the nursing profession (P<0.01). Relative to college students, undergraduates experienced significantly higher levels of perceived stress (P<0.01). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in perceived stress between the variables of gender, place of residence, and being an only child. Psychological distress was positively correlated (r=0.632, p<0.001), whereas psychological capital was negatively correlated, with perceived stress (r=-0.662, p<0.001). Psychological capital played a potential mediating role in the relationship between psychological distress and perceived stress.Conclusions: This study revealed the importance of psychological capital in reducing perceived stress to decrease psychological distress among Chinese nursing students. Managers should take meaningful steps to improve nursing students’ psychological capital and thereby reduce the negative impact of psychological distress.