Health-promoting behaviors and self-efficacy among nursing students in times of uncertainty

Abstract

Background Nursing students are often faced with academic and personal stressors that threaten their Health-Promoting Behaviors (HPB) and well-being. Research on how living in a context of high political uncertainty can impact nursing students' HPB is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between HPB and self-efficacy among nursing students in a context of high political uncertainty.

Methods This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study that included 120 undergraduate nursing students from Lebanon who completed an electronic self-reported questionnaire.

Results The results indicated that HPB measured by HPLP-II scores were negatively correlated with overall uncertainty scores (r = −.29, p < .01) and positively correlated with the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) scale scores (r = .41, p < .001). Results from the multiple linear regression model indicated that physical activity frequency and GSE were independent predictors of the total health-promoting lifestyle profile and the model explained 30.28% of the variance in the total HPLP-II scale.

Linking Evidence to Action This study further emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity (at least 3 h a week) as a strategy to improve HPB among nursing students. Culturally sensitive strategies that aim to enhance HPB should be embedded in undergraduate nursing curricula. Public health nurses and university counselors should join efforts to develop strategies to maintain or enhance self-efficacy and to promote regular physical activity among nursing students. Future research should further study the association between self-efficacy, resilience, and uncertainty in contexts of ongoing conflicts.