The relationship of nursing students’ personality traits with their perceived stress in clinical environment

Authors

Department of Nursing, Abhar School of Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Clinical education is the most stressful part of education for nursing students. This study investigated the relationship of nursing students’ personality traits with their perceived stress in clinical environment. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the relationship of nursing students’ personality traits with their perceived stress in clinical environment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 on 215 nursing students. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling from Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. Data collection instruments were a demographic questionnaire, the NEO Personality Inventory short form, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Data analysis was done through the independent-samples t-test, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean score of perceived stress was 43.74±10.25 out of 56, implying high level of stress. Neuroticism personality trait had significant positive correlation with perceived stress (P < 0.001), whereas extraversion and agreeableness personality traits had significant negative correlations with perceived stress (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Healthcare authorities need to employ strategies to identify nursing students who are at risk for stress and improve their psychological readiness for attending clinical environment.

Keywords


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