Abstract
(1) This study analysed the relationship between positive orientation and subjective control of anger, anxiety and depression in nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the pandemic. (2) The survey was carried out by the diagnostic survey method in a group of 756 nursing students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia. The empirical data were gathered using an original survey questionnaire, the Positive Orientation Scale and the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale. (3) It was shown that the positive orientation level in Polish students was significantly lower than in students in Spain (p < 0.0001) and Slovakia (p < 0.0001). Low results for positive orientation were obtained in nearly half (47.18%) of the respondents in the Polish sample, whereas it was 34.18% and 31.18% in the Spanish and Slovak samples, respectively (p < 0.0001). A positive orientation was the most important predictor of emotional control among the nursing students at all the sites (p < 0.0001). (4) Positive orientation has been shown to have a significant impact on emotional control in nursing students during the pandemic. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor students’ mental health during the pandemic to determine the demand for psychological and emotional support.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the first quarter of 2020 changed the world considerably
A statistical analysis with the analysis of variance ANOVA test showed a statistically significant diversity of the mean for positive orientation in the subgroups, which manifested itself as a general tendency for perceiving life experiences with a positive attitude (F = 8.30; p < 0.0002)
This study found that a positive orientation was the most important predictor of emotional control among nursing students
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the first quarter of 2020 changed the world considerably. Healthcare professionals and medical students are susceptible to stress during this period [5]. Studying can be a challenge to many students as shown by research confirming a high incidence of anxiety and depression among students [6–8]. This applies mainly to medical students, who experience considerable stress caused by the extensive syllabuses, duration of studies and significant interference of studies with other areas of their lives [9–12]. Nursing students [13] are exposed to various stressors during their studies, which are directly linked to the clinical environment of studying, i.e., patient care, including the caring activities and medical procedures, contact with patients’ families and cooperation with the members of an interdisciplinary team [14].
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