A structural equation modeling study on factors influencing the humanistic care ability of undergraduate nursing interns

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine how organizational caring climate, communication ability, and emotional intelligence jointly relate to nursing interns' humanistic care ability within a dual-mediation path-analytic framework.

Methods: Using a convenience sampling method, 657 nursing interns from five tertiary first-class hospitals in China were selected as participants. Surveys were conducted using the Humanistic Care Ability Scale, the Organizational Care Atmosphere Scale, the Caring Ability Inventory Scale, and the Emotional Intelligence Scale.

Results: All four variables were positively correlated (p < 0.01). The sequential indirect effect of Caring Atmosphere on Humanistic Care via Communication Ability and Emotional Intelligence was 0.105 (95% CI 0.07-0.15); the total indirect effect was 0.348 (95% CI 0.27-0.42).

Conclusion: The humanistic care ability of nursing interns is influenced by the objective factor of care atmosphere and the subjective factors of communication competence and emotional intelligence.

Keywords: communication ability; dual-mediation; emotional intelligence; humanistic care; nursing interns; organizational caring atmosphere; path analysis.

Figure 1

Path model of factors influencing humanistic care ability (with standardized coefficients). IE1, Emotional perception; IE2, Self-emotion management; IE3, Understanding others’ emotions; IE4, Emotion utilization; EI, Emotional intelligence; H1, Cognition; H2, Courage; H3, Patience; HC, Humanistic care; C1, Coaching and counseling; C2, Providing effective negative feedback; C3, Supportive communication; CA, Communication ability; A1, Exemplary; A2, Conversation; A3, Confirmation; QC, Caring atmosphere.