The relationship between professional attitudes and locus of control among senior nursing student : The mediating role of self compassion

This descriptive-relational study was conducted to examine the mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between senior nursing students' professional attitudes and locus of control. The research was conducted in four nursing programs that provide undergraduate nursing education within the provincial borders of Ankara. The sample of the study consisted of 295 senior nursing students. Data were collected with Students Information Form, Locus of Control Scale, Professional Attitude Scale for Student Nurses, and Self-Compassion Scale. Frequency, percentage, mean±standard deviation (SD) were used in the analysis of the data. Chi-square or Fisher tests were used for independent group comparisons for categorical variables, and Student's t-test or One Way ANOVA method was used for continuous variables. In parametric correlation analysis, Pearson test, causality relationships between scales were examined using linear regression model. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the independent factors affecting professional attitude and Bootstrap estimates, Bias corrected percentile method was used for mediating variable analysis of the mediating role of self-sensitivity. The students' Locus of Control Scale mean score was 119.1±25.4; Professional Attitude Scale mean score; 106.9±20.2; and the Self-Compassion Scale mean score was 84.3±13.6. There was a negative correlation between locus of control and professional attitude (p<0.001) and self-compassion (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation (p=0.001) between self-compassion and professional attitude. The mediating role of self-compassion in the relationship between locus of control and professional attitude was revealed [standardized indirect effect coefficient - 0.094 (95% CI: - 0.135; -0.05, p=0.013)]. In our study, students' professional attitudes were high, and self-compassion were above average; locus of control was found to be prone to internal locus of control. In line with the results of the study, suggestions were made to the nurse educators and policymakers to evaluate and improve the professional attitudes, locus of control tendencies and self-compassion of nursing students before they graduate.