The effect of perceived stress, bio-psycho-social response and stress coping behaviors of nursing students on professional self-esteem

Background

Nursing education is a stressful process involving theoretical and practical teaching and learning.

Aim

The study was conducted to reveal the effect of perceived stress, bio-psycho-social responses to stress and stress coping behaviors of nursing students on their professional self-esteem.

Methods

The study employed descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study designs. The research was conducted with 238 nursing students. The data were collected online using the Introductory Information Form, Arıcak Professional Self-Esteem Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Bio-Psycho-Social Response Scale and Coping Behaviors Inventory.

Results

Perceived stress alone explained 7.5 % of professional self-esteem, and there was a highly negative correlation between them (r = -0.273, p < 0.01). Perceived stress and bio-psycho-social response together affected professional self-esteem by 17 %. Perceived stress, bio-psycho-social response and stress coping behavior together affected professional self-esteem by 19.3 %.

Conclusions

Although it is considered a positive conclusion that nursing students have high levels of professional self-esteem, it should be noted that nursing education contains many stress factors.