Resilience and Flexibility for Clinical Nurses: A Latent Class Analysis

Aim. To explore potential resilience and psychological flexibility patterns in nurses and analyze the effects of related factors such as growth mindset and professional recognition of categories. Background. Resilience and psychological flexibility can help nurses resist occupational pressure and play essential roles in promoting personal growth and professional development. Methods. A latent category approach was used to examine the patterns of heterogeneity in resilience and flexibility among 805 nurses. Differences in the influences related to resilience and flexibility were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, with demographic information, growth mindset, and career recognition as covariates. Results. Participants were divided into three potential categories: toughness-flexible (32.8%), power-deficit-emotional (23.1%), and toughness-rigid (44.1%). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that monthly income, mode of employment, growth mindset, and professional identity were influential factors in the potential categories of nurse resilience and flexibility. Conclusion. One cohort of nurses had high resilience and low flexibility, and psychological rigidity was related to the fact that the monthly income was less than RMB 5,000 and the contractual mode of employment. An excellent growth mindset and a high professional identity indicate that nurses are resilient and flexible. Implications for Nursing Management. Hospitals and nursing managers should pay attention to nurses’ different career development needs and implement appropriate safeguards.