The role of ego-resiliency in the relationship between social anxiety and problem solving ability among South Korean nursing students

Nurse Educ Today. 2017 Feb:49:17-21. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2016.11.006. Epub 2016 Nov 12.

Abstract

Background: Problem-solving is a core ability that nursing students should develop during their education. There is a need to better understand the importance of problem-solving and the factors related to it among nursing students.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the role of ego-resiliency in the relationship between social anxiety and problem-solving ability in Korean nursing students.

Methods: Data were collected from a total of 329 nursing students who were enrolled in three nursing programs in South Korea, using a self-administrated questionnaire. Data were mainly analyzed by Baron and Kenny's three-step regression analysis and the Sobel test.

Results: Ego-resiliency played a partial mediating role in the relationship between social anxiety and problem-solving ability. Further, the Sobel test suggested a mediating effect of ego-resiliency on the relationship between social anxiety and problem-solving (Z=-9.079, p<0.001).

Conclusions: To enhance problem-solving ability in nursing students, nursing educators should establish educational strategies that decrease social anxiety and improve ego-resiliency.

Keywords: Ego-resiliency; Nursing student; Problem-solving ability; Social anxiety.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Ego*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Problem Solving*
  • Republic of Korea
  • Students, Nursing / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires