J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2023 Feb;30(1):115-124. 10.7739/jkafn.2023.30.1.115.

Factors Influencing Senior Nursing Students’ COVID-19 Psychological Distress: A Cross-sectional Study

• Lee KS
• Kim HY

• KMID: 2539863
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7739/jkafn.2023.30.1.115

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related knowledge, preventive behaviors, risk perception, nursing professional values, and COVID-19 psychological distress among nursing students, and to identify factors associated with senior nursing students’ COVID-19 psychological distress.
Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study included fourth-year nursing students (n=183). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire between May and June 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, the Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis, using SPSS version 27.0 for Windows.
Results
COVID-19 risk perception (β=.39, p<.001) had the strongest association with COVID-19-related psychological distress, followed by COVID-19 knowledge (β=.37, p<.001), major satisfaction (β=-.19, p=.004), and COVID-19 preventive behavior (β=-.16, p=.023). These variables accounted for approximately 27% of the variance in COVID-19-related psychological distress.
Conclusion
Nursing educators should work to develop interventions to reduce nursing students’ COVID-19-related psychological distress and should consider COVID-19 knowledge, COVID-19 risk perception, and COVID-19 preventive behavior. Furthermore, plans should be developed to enhance students’ satisfaction with the nursing major by improving the clinical practicum suited to their needs.

Keyword

COVID-19; Health behavior; Knowledge; Nursing students; Psychological distress