Structural equation modeling of the relationship between nursing students' quality of life and academic resilience

Abstract

Objective: Across the Middle Eastern countries, there is a lack of studies exploring the connection between the quality of life (QoL) and academic resilience of nursing students. This study determines the association between nursing students' profile variables and their QoL and academic resilience (AR).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design with structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted. This study was conducted at the College of Nursing at the University of Ha'il, KSA. Survey questionnaires using the 12-item Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ) and 30-item Academic Resilience Scale (ARS-30) were utilised to collect data from nursing students (n = 384). SEM via latent variable analysis (lavaan) software version 0.6-7 was used for statistical derivation and analysis.

Results: SEM revealed no correlation with QoL and AR when compared using the participants' profile variables (gender, year level, and enrolled units). There was a correlation between the grade point average (GPA) and QoL. However, no association was found between QoL and AR.

Conclusion: GPA exhibited a positive correlation with QoL; thus, nursing students with higher GPA have a more stable and desirable QoL. Additionally, our findings illustrate the individuality of nursing students despite their shared characteristics.

Keywords: Academic resilience; KSA; Latent class analysis; Nursing students; Quality of life; Structural equation modeling.