Impact of dental hygienists’ positive psychological capital, growth mindset, and self-leadership on retention intention

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the positive psychological capital, growth mindset, and self-leadership of dental hygienists in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions with regard to their retention intention. The findings would serve as basic data for improving the retention intention. Methods: The methods espoused for analysis comprised independent sample t-test and ANOVA for group comparisons, Pearson’s correlation analysis for examining the correlation between variables, and multiple regression analysis for identifying factors affecting retention intention. Results: Positive psychological capital was higher among those under the age of 27 and employed in dental clinics. Growth mindset was higher among those with less than three years of work experience and those working in clinics. Self-leadership was higher among those aged 28–31, and retention intention was higher among those under the age of 27 and with less than three years of work experience (p<0.05). A correlation was observed between positive psychological capital and self-leadership (r=0.760), self-leadership and retention intention (r=0.514), positive psychological capital and retention intention (r=0.505), positive psychological capital and growth mindset (r=0.337), and growth mindset and self-leadership (r=0.245) (p<0.001). Factors influencing the intention to stay at work were selfleadership (β=0.309) and positive psychological capital (β=0.242) (p<0.05). Conclusions: In order to improve dental hygienists' retention intention, it is necessary to devise strategies for improving positive psychological capital and self-leadership.