A Mediator Effect of Social Support in the Association between Stress for College Life and Depression among Nursing Students

Yoo, Kyung Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to determine the mediator effect of social support in the association between stress for college life and depression among nursing students.
METHODS
The participants of the study were 201 university students in A and C cities. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure the variables. In the data analysis, the SPSSWIN 25.0 program was utilized for descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, Sobel test and multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
Mean scores of stress for college life, depression and social support were 2.56, 4.12 and 0.61, respectively. Stress for college life and depression showed a significant positive correlation (r=.60, p < .001), while depression and social support showed a significant negative correlation (r=-.46, p < .001). Lastly, stress for college life and social support showed a significant negative correlation (r=-.55, p < .001). The analysis of the mediator effect of social support in the association between stress for college life and depression showed that social support had a significant mediator effect.
CONCLUSION
Among nursing students, social support may be a mediator in the association between stress for college life and depression. Therefore, strategies for nursing intervention to improve social support should be developed for nursing students