Correlations among positive psychological capital, research motivation, and research ability by master's degree nursing students: A structural equation modeling

Abstract

Background: Nursing research ability is an important force in improving the quality of nursing care and driving the development of the discipline. As the main force and reserve force of nursing research, master's degree nursing students should have certain research ability. The contributing factors and their relationships that challenge research ability among master's degree nursing students must be fully understood, as this level of knowledge can support the development of strategies and interventions that improve the research ability of master's degree nursing students.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among positive psychological capital, research motivation, and research ability by master's degree nursing students. In addition, we investigated whether research motivation mediates the relationship between positive psychological capital and research ability.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire.

Setting: The study sampled master's degree nursing students from colleges in Sichuan, Fujian, Hubei, and Tianjin Province, China.

Participants: From February 2022 to April 2022, 377 master's degree nursing students were chosen by a convenience sample method.

Methods: Data were gathered using a general information questionnaire, the Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PPCQ), the Research Motivation Scale (RMS), and the Nursing Research Ability of Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (NRASQ). Both SPSS 26.0 and Amos 28.0. were used to handle and analyze the data. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were all used in the data analysis process. The reporting followed the STROBE checklist.

Results: Positive psychological capital was found to be positively correlated with research ability (P < 0.01). Research motivation was also positively correlated with research ability (P < 0.01), and had a mediating effect on the relationship between positive psychological capital and research ability (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: The positive psychological capital and research motivation of master's degree nursing students are positively correlated with research ability. Research motivation significantly mediates the relationship between positive psychological capital and research ability. The findings of this study can inform educational strategies and interventions for the development of research ability of master's degree nursing students.

Keywords: Master's degree nursing students; Mediating effect; Nursing research; Positive psychological capital; Research ability; Research motivation.