Perceived stress, perceived social support, subjective well-being and related factors in nursing students

This study was conducted as descriptive to determine perceived stress, perceived social support and subjective well-being levels of nursing students. The universe of the study comprised of 775 nursing bachelor's degree student who continue their education in Adnan Menderes University Aydin Health College, between academical years 2014-2015. The sample of the study was decided as 310 students by using known-universe sampling method, when design effect accepted as 1,2. But 13 students were omitted from the study sample which were detected not to complete questionnaire form completely, and 297 students composed the final study sample. Data used in the study was gathered via "Personal Information Form" which investigates socio-demographic characteristics of students and independent variables, "Perceived Stress Scale", "Perceived Social Support Scale" and "Subjective Well-Being Scale". Data evaluated via SPSS for Windows 15.0 statistical package program. Descriptive statistical methods (percentage, mean, median, standard deviation), t test, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, One-Way Anova Test and Pearson Corelation Test were used while analysing data. Of the participants 230 (77.4%) were female, 67 (22.4%) were male, mean age was 20.32±1.65. Students perceive less stress, more social support and have higher subjective well-being levels for those who think that both of their parents understand them, who are satisfied with the relations with their family members, who are satisfied with the place they stay during their university education, who evaluate their physical and mental health as good, who did not experience a mental problem during their university edcation, who think their academical success as good, who are satisfied with their school life, who have a close person to share their problems when they need, who have a friend group that they are always together, who participate to social or cultural activities, who have a professor to share their problems when they need. It was found that perceived stress had negative correlation with both of perceived social support and subjective well-being. And there was positive correlation between perceived social support and subjective well-being. It is recommended that by determining perceived stress, perceived social support and subjective well-being levels of students, those in need can be directed to related units in order to take support, and seminars for the students' social skills, interpersonal relationships and communication skills can be organized, and elective courses can be prepared for nursing students by the schools giving nursing education. Key words: Nursing, Perceived Stress, Perceived Social Support, Subjective Well-being