The Relationship between Self-Directed Learning and Problem-Solving Ability: The Mediating Role of Academic Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulated Learning among Nursing Students.

Younghui Hwang,Jihyun Oh

doi:10.3390/ijerph18041738

Abstract

Problem-solving ability is necessary for the clinical reasoning and decision-making of nurses to solve patients’ health problems. This study aims to investigate the association between self-directed learning and problem-solving ability using the multiple mediation model to identify strategies to enhance problem-solving ability in nursing students. This is a descriptive survey study of 193 nursing students from two universities in South Korea. Data about self-directed learning, self-regulated learning, academic self-efficacy, and problem-solving ability were collected using structured questionnaires between 5 March and 17 June 2018, and were analyzed using serial multiple mediation analysis. The direct effect of self-directed learning on problem-solving ability was statistically significant. The serial multiple mediation technique predicting problem-solving ability from self-directed learning, academic self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning was significant, explaining 40% of the variance in problem-solving ability. The relationship between self-directed learning and problem-solving ability was partially mediated by academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning. This study suggests the suitability of considering academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning together when conducting self-directed learning to improve nursing students’ problem-solving ability.

Highlights

Problem-solving ability is the skill of identifying a problem and taking action to solve it [1], in particular, it is essential for health professionals to perform clinical reasoning and make a decision [2]
This indicates that the higher the level of self-directed learning of a nursing student is, the higher their problem-solving ability will be; problem-solving ability was promoted by facilitating self-directed learning
The results suggest that it is important to increase the academic self-efficacy of nursing students when trying to increase problem-solving ability through self-directed learning to make students feel a sense of accomplishment

Summary

Introduction

Problem-solving ability is the skill of identifying a problem and taking action to solve it [1], in particular, it is essential for health professionals to perform clinical reasoning and make a decision [2]. Clinical reasoning is used to identify and explore causal relationships between sets of causes and effects and to achieve a deeper understanding of complex phenomena [3]. Nurses with problem-solving ability can more effectively analyze and research the health problems of patients [3]. They can draw effective and targeted solutions that address the root causes of the health problems and devise and execute nursing intervention plans [4]. As nurses with problem-solving ability have personal control capabilities, interest, and willingness, they more organize and resolve issues and reduce medical errors [7]

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Discussion

Conclusion