Association between stress and coping strategies in Chinese nursing students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and objective: Stress and mental health concerns have increasingly been studied among Chinese nursing students. Understanding stress levels in this population is essential for addressing their psychological well-being. This study aims to examine the stress levels of Chinese nursing students and explore their association with coping strategies.

Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 180 Chinese nursing students from a medical university in Anhui during the 2022/23 academic year. Data were collected using an online self-report questionnaire assessing demographic details, stress levels (Student Nurse Stress Index), and coping strategies (Brief COPE Inventory). Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and stepwise regression were used for data analysis.

Results: A total of 170 nursing students completed the survey, revealing a mean stress level of 52.99. Regression analysis indicated that denial, self-blame, and acceptance significantly predicted stress, with acceptance associated with lower stress and denial and self-blame linked to higher stress.

Conclusions: This study highlights the impact of cultural factors on stress responses and emphasizes the potential benefits of promoting acceptance as a coping mechanism among Chinese nursing students.