A Mediator Effect of Social Support in the Association between Stress for College Life and Depression among Nursing Students

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the mediator effect of social support in the association between stress for college life and depression among nursing students. Methods: The participants of the study were 201 university students in A and C cities. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure the variables. In the data analysis, the SPSSWIN 25.0 program was utilized for descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, Sobel test and multiple regression analysis. Results: Mean scores of stress for college life, depression and social support were 2.56, 4.12 and 0.61, respectively. Stress for college life and depression showed a significant positive correlation (r=.60, p<.001), while depression and social support showed a significant negative correlation (r=-.46, p<.001). Lastly, stress for college life and social support showed a significant negative correlation (r=-.55, p<.001). The analysis of the mediator effect of social support in the association between stress for college life and depression showed that social support had a significant mediator effect. Conclusion: Among nursing students, social support may be a mediator in the association between stress for college life and depression. Therefore, strategies for nursing intervention to improve social support should be developed for nursing students.