Mediating effect of academic achievement between self-acceptance and career adaptability among nursing undergraduates

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence of self-acceptance and academic achievement on career adaptability, and the mediating effect of academic achievement between self-acceptance and career adaptability among nursing undergraduates. Methods In September 2017, we selected 281 nursing undergraduates from Grade 1 to 3 of School of Nursing at China Medical University as subjects by convenience sampling. All of the patients were investigated with the College Students' Career Adaptability Questionnaire (CSCAQ) , Unconditional Self-acceptance Questionnaire (USAQ) and Academic Achievement Scale. Results The average score of CSCAQ, USAQ and academic achievement scale of nursing undergraduates were (3.70±0.39) , (3.64±0.51) and (3.51±0.46) respectively. Nursing undergraduates' career adaptability had positive correlations with self-acceptance and academic achievement (r=0.395, 0.382; P<0.05) . Three-step mediating regression analysis showed academic achievement played a partial mediating effect in the influence of self-acceptance on career adaptability with a significant mediating effect (P<0.01) . The mediating effect accounted for 27.94% of the total effect. Conclusions Nursing undergraduates' academic achievement has effects on their career adaptability. Their self-acceptance not only has effects on career adaptability directly, but also has effects on career adaptability by the mediating effect of academic achievement indirectly. Key words: Students, nursing; Education, medical, undergraduate; Self-acceptance; Academic achievement; Career adaptability