Yuan Zhang1, Anya Peters2, Joseph Bradstreet2. 1. Susan and Alan Solomont School of Nursing, 113 Wilder Street, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, United States. Electronic address: Yuan_Zhang@uml.edu. 2. Susan and Alan Solomont School of Nursing, 113 Wilder Street, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms are common among college nursing students, and may be associated with each other. However, the mechanism for this association has not been well understood. PURPOSE: The study is to examine the potential mediating role of coping styles in the association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms among college nursing students. METHODS: 242 undergraduate nursing students at a public university in the northeast United States completed an online survey delivered through SurveyMonkey® with self-reports of sleep quality, coping styles, and depressive symptoms from October to November 2015. RESULTS: Multivariate linear regression models suggested that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β=1.00, p<0.01) in nursing students. The four coping styles (problem engagement, emotion engagement, problem disengagement, and emotion disengagement) together reduced the strength of the association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms by 41%. Specifically, emotion disengagement coping plays an important mediating role in this association. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to sleep promotion, effective interventions to facilitate the development of appropriate coping strategies among nursing students are needed to enhance their mental health and well-being.
BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms are common among college nursing students, and may be associated with each other. However, the mechanism for this association has not been well understood. PURPOSE: The study is to examine the potential mediating role of coping styles in the association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms among college nursing students. METHODS: 242 undergraduate nursing students at a public university in the northeast United States completed an online survey delivered through SurveyMonkey® with self-reports of sleep quality, coping styles, and depressive symptoms from October to November 2015. RESULTS: Multivariate linear regression models suggested that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β=1.00, p<0.01) in nursing students. The four coping styles (problem engagement, emotion engagement, problem disengagement, and emotion disengagement) together reduced the strength of the association between sleep quality and depressive symptoms by 41%. Specifically, emotion disengagement coping plays an important mediating role in this association. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to sleep promotion, effective interventions to facilitate the development of appropriate coping strategies among nursing students are needed to enhance their mental health and well-being.