The relationship between nursing students' psychological capital and occupational stigma in the Chinese context: A potential profiling analysis

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the present study is to analyse latent profiles of psychological capital and the demographic characteristics of undergraduate nursing students and to explore the relationship between each category and their awareness of occupational stigma.

Background: The conventional external view of nurses and a lack of a sense of professional identity may cause nursing students to leave the field. The psychological qualities of nursing students and how they relate to professional stigma must be studied to eliminate professional stigma through positive psychology.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: Zhejiang University undergraduate nursing students were examined in July 2024. The questionnaire survey used a general information questionnaire, the Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire and the Chinese Occupational Stigma Self-Measurement Inventory. Latent profile analysis classified nursing students' psychological capital, and a mixed regression model examined latent categories, predictor variables and continuous outcome variables.

Results: The psychological capital of 1455 nursing students was divided into three profiles: "avoiders" (31.20 %), "compromisers" (42.34 %) and "motivators" (27.69 %). Logistic regression analysis revealed that characteristics like sex, grades, student leadership, graduate education aspirations and nursing attitudes predict psychological capital profiles (p < 0.05). BCH analyses revealed a significant difference in occupational stigma awareness scores among psychological capital profiles (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study identified moderate psychological capital and occupational stigma in nursing students. It found three psychological capital profiles in nursing students and substantial disparities in occupational stigma. This study helps design treatments to improve nursing students' psychological protective resources and prevent occupational stigma.

Keywords: Nursing education; Nursing students; Occupational stigma; Psychological capital; Psychology.