Serial multiple mediation of perceived stress and self-control in the relationship between neuroticism and career anxiety among nursing interns in China: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey

BACKGROUND: Nursing internship play a crucial role in cultivating nursing students. However, nursing interns often face challenges of career anxiety, which can have negative impacts on their professional development and work quality. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing career anxiety among nursing interns is important.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the serial multiple mediating effect of perceived stress and self-control in the relationship between neuroticism and career anxiety among nursing interns in China.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.

METHODS: A total of 499 nursing interns from five tertiary hospitals in Xi'an, China, participated. Neuroticism, perceived stress, self-control, and career anxiety among nursing interns were assessed. Serial mediation analysis was conducted using the PROCESS Macro in SPSS. Statistical analyses included descriptive analysis, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression with bootstrapping.

RESULTS: (1)Career anxiety was significantly and positively correlated with neuroticism (r = 0.384, p