Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Concept and Mental Health Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

¹Institute for Nursing and Health Research, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475000, China.

²University of Toledo College of Nursing, Toledo OH 43614, USA.

Corresponding Author: Enshe Jiang, Institute for Nursing and Health Research, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan 475000, China, Tel: +86-371-23885066; E-Mail: [email protected]
Received Date: 13 Nov 2017  
Accepted Date: 17 Nov 2017  
Published Date: 20 Nov 2017
Copyright © 2017 Jiang E
Citation: Shang B, Wang S, Fan Y and Jiang E. (2017). Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Concept and Mental Health Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Mathews J Psychiatry Ment Health. 2(2): 016.

ABSTRACT

Background: Mental health in nursing undergraduates is well documented, while research focusing on the relationship of self-concept and mental health in nursing students is rarely conducted. The actuality of the nursing undergraduate’s selfconcept and mental health was investigated and the relationship between them was explored.

Methods: The survey was conducted in 210 nursing undergraduates studying at Henan University by applying with Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS, undergraduate version) revised by Zhina Chen and Symptom Checklist -90 (SCL-90) drawn up by Zhengyu Wang.

Results: The total score of nursing undergraduate’s SCL-90 was higher than the nation-wide norm. There was significant difference in the level of mental health in the different grades. The students whose major choice was voluntary or involuntary had a significant effect on the score of their mental health and self-concept. The scores of self-concept were negatively related to the scores of SCL-90. Regression analysis indicated that the three factors of self-concept including moral self, social self and personal self could predict the mental health level of the nursing undergraduates.

Conclusions: The mental health of the nursing undergraduates is influenced closely by their self-concept. It is necessary to helping nursing undergraduates to build a high level of mental health.

KEYWORDS

Nursing Undergraduate; Self-Concept; Mental Health; Nursing Education.