Mediating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between work engagement and perceived professional benefits among nursing interns: a cross-sectional study - Report - MDSpire

Mediating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between work engagement and perceived professional benefits among nursing interns: a cross-sectional study

  • By

  • Sixing Liu

  • Haitang Liu

  • Fengying Lin

  • Lihua Chen

  • Yuanfeng Lv

  • Fan Wei

  • Chaoluan Rao

  • Xiaojing Chen

  • Caihong Xue

  • Minxiang Li

  • June 8, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

Clinical Report: The Role of Psychological Capital in Nursing Interns

Overview

This study investigates the relationships among work engagement, psychological capital, and perceived professional benefits in nursing interns. It finds that psychological capital significantly mediates the relationship between work engagement and perceived professional benefits.

Background

Nursing interns are essential to the nursing workforce, and their perceived professional benefits are crucial for workforce stability. Understanding the factors that influence their engagement and professional benefits can help address the global nursing shortage. This study highlights the importance of psychological capital in enhancing nursing interns' work experiences and career satisfaction.

Data Highlights

MeasureScore (Mean ± SD)
Work Engagement30.17 ± 7.83
Psychological Capital84.66 ± 13.99
Perceived Professional Benefits67.14 ± 8.52

Key Findings

  • Positive correlation between work engagement and perceived professional benefits (r = 0.480, P < 0.001).
  • Positive correlation between work engagement and psychological capital (r = 0.480, P < 0.001).
  • Positive correlation between psychological capital and perceived professional benefits (r = 0.506, P < 0.001).
  • Psychological capital mediates the relationship between work engagement and perceived professional benefits, accounting for 36.04% of the total effect.
  • Enhancing psychological capital can strengthen nursing interns' commitment to their profession.

Clinical Implications

Clinical nursing administrators should focus on strategies to enhance work engagement and psychological capital among nursing interns. This approach can lead to increased perceived professional benefits, ultimately contributing to a more stable nursing workforce.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the importance of psychological capital in fostering work engagement and perceived professional benefits among nursing interns. Addressing these factors can help mitigate the nursing shortage and improve workforce retention.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- Analysis of the status of perceived professional benefits among nursing students and their relationship with teaching behaviors among nursing teachers
  2. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- The impact of nursing interns’ intolerance of uncertainty on professional identity: the mediating role of career resilience
  3. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- Interrelationships Between Moral Sensitivity, Empathy, and Perceived Professional Preparedness Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Path Analysis
  4. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Perceived stress and depression among Chinese nurses: a cross-sectional mediation analysis of psychological flexibility and its components
  5. Mediating effect of psychological capital between perceived organizational support and work engagement in Chinese nurses: a systematic review and meta-analytic structural equation modeling - PubMed
  6. Frontiers | Mediating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between work engagement and perceived professional benefits among nursing interns: a cross-sectional study
  7. The Joint Commission - Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements
  8. Mediating effect of psychological capital between perceived organizational support and work engagement in Chinese nurses: a systematic review and meta-analytic structural equation modeling - PubMed
  9. Frontiers | Mediating effect of psychological capital on the relationship between work engagement and perceived professional benefits among nursing interns: a cross-sectional study

Original Source(s)

Related Content