Prevalence of stress and associated factors among nursing students in Limpopo province, South Africa.
Mental health is a fundamental component of overall well-being and a critical determinant of academic success and professional functioning. However, stress is an often-overlooked burden for nursing students, adversely impacting their learning, clinical performance and overall quality of life.
To determine the levels of stress among nursing students and to examine the associations among demographic characteristics. The study was conducted at a selected Nursing Education Institution in Limpopo province, South Africa.
A descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative design was employed to determine stress levels among 262 nursing students. Data were collected through an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire using the Student Stress Inventory, which demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.910). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 30.
Respondents had a mean age of 20.20 years (s.d. = 1.48) and reported moderate stress levels. Female nursing students were significantly more likely to report higher stress than males (p 0.001). Stress levels also differed significantly across study levels (p = 0.005), with second-year students reporting the highest stress.
Nursing students face significant stress, which may impact their learning and professional development. This highlights the importance of implementing supportive strategies to foster resilience and coping skills.Contribution: The study provides evidence to guide targeted interventions promoting students' mental well-being and academic success.
To determine the levels of stress among nursing students and to examine the associations among demographic characteristics. The study was conducted at a selected Nursing Education Institution in Limpopo province, South Africa.
A descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative design was employed to determine stress levels among 262 nursing students. Data were collected through an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire using the Student Stress Inventory, which demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.910). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 30.
Respondents had a mean age of 20.20 years (s.d. = 1.48) and reported moderate stress levels. Female nursing students were significantly more likely to report higher stress than males (p 0.001). Stress levels also differed significantly across study levels (p = 0.005), with second-year students reporting the highest stress.
Nursing students face significant stress, which may impact their learning and professional development. This highlights the importance of implementing supportive strategies to foster resilience and coping skills.Contribution: The study provides evidence to guide targeted interventions promoting students' mental well-being and academic success.