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

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.