Clinical Report: Exploring Adult Attachment Styles and Commitment to Nursing
Overview
This study identifies distinct adult attachment profiles among Chinese nursing interns and examines their associations with death attitudes and intentions to remain in nursing.
Background
Intern nursing students face significant emotional challenges during their clinical training, particularly when encountering patient death. Understanding how adult attachment styles influence their coping mechanisms and professional intentions is crucial for addressing workforce sustainability in nursing.
Data Highlights
Attachment Profile
Percentage
Odds Ratio (Intention to Remain)
Relatively Secure
41.6%
1.000 (reference)
Mildly Insecure
29.4%
0.563 (95% CI [0.373, 0.850], p = 0.006)
Moderately Insecure
16.5%
0.348 (95% CI [0.228, 0.531], p < 0.001)
Highly Insecure
12.5%
0.348 (95% CI [0.228, 0.531], p < 0.001)
Key Findings
Four distinct attachment profiles were identified among nursing interns: relatively secure, mildly insecure, moderately insecure, and highly insecure.
Higher attachment insecurity was associated with increased fear of death and lower neutral acceptance.
Attachment profiles significantly influenced death attitudes across all five DAP-R subscales.
Interns with highly and moderately insecure profiles had lower odds of intending to remain in nursing.
Profile differences remained significant after adjusting for education level.
Clinical Implications
Understanding the attachment styles of nursing interns can inform educational interventions and psychological support strategies.
Conclusion
The study highlights the importance of adult attachment styles in shaping nursing interns' responses to death and their commitment to the profession.
