Associations of self-efficacy and learning engagement with humanistic caring ability among vocational college nursing students: a structural equation modeling study.
6 affiliations
- 1Weifang Nursing Vocational College, 1729 Yuanfei Road, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong, 261041, China.
- 2Philippine Women's University, 1743 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila, 1004, Philippines.
- 3Weifang Municipal Bureau of Statistics, 6396 Dongfeng East Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong, 261061, China.
- 4Shandong Luwei Nursing Research Centre, Qingdao Binhai University, 1568 Shanchuan Road, Huangdao District, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, China. [email protected].
- 5School of Nursing, Shandong Xiehe University, 6277 Jiqing Road, Licheng District, Jinan, Shandong, 250109, China. [email protected].
- 6Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong, 261053, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Previous studies have investigated the associations of humanistic caring ability (HCA) with self-efficacy (SEF), or learning engagement (LN) among college students. There has been a lack of studies that examine the mediation effect of learning engagement between SEF and humanistic caring ability among nursing students. This study aimed to investigate the associations of self-efficacy with humanistic caring ability, and the mediation effect of learning engagement between SEF and HCA among vocational college nursing students.Methods
This is a cross-sectional study. Nursing students were recruited from three vocational colleges in Shandong province of China. Students completed questionnaires comprising humanistic caring ability, self-efficacy and learning engagement. A structural equation model (SEM) was employed to examine the relationship between SEF and humanistic caring ability, and the mediation effect of learning engagement. Weighted Least Squares Mean and Variance adjusted (WLSMV) estimator with delta parameterization was employed in the SEM. Standard error and 95% confidence interval for the estimated effects were obtained using bootstrapping.Results
The structural equation model using three dimensions of humanistic caring ability showed that self-efficacy was positively associated with humanistic caring ability (direct effect β (standardized coefficient) = 0.270, bootstrap 95% CI: 0.113, 0.438; p < 0.01). Learning engagement mediated this association (total indirect effect β = 0.570, bootstrap 95% CI: 0.454, 0.672; p < 0.01). Model fit indices presented good CFI (the Comparative Fit Index = 0.967) and SRMR (the Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.043), and marginal RMSEA (the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.105, 90% CI: 0.102, 0.108). The SEM using total score of humanistic caring ability yielded good CFI = 0.975 and SRMR = 0.041, and a fair RMSEA of 0.100 (90% CI: 0.096, 0.103), and showed a significant mediation effect of learning engagement (p < 0.01).Conclusions
This study reveals that self-efficacy is positively associated with humanistic caring ability, and learning engagement mediates the effect of self-efficacy on humanistic caring ability among nursing students. Programs that enhance self-efficacy and learning engagement in nursing education could be evaluated as strategies to support humanistic caring ability among nursing students. Future research that extends a prospective study design and intervention studies warrant to address causality of the associations observed in this study.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026associations,
title = {{Associations of self-efficacy and learning engagement with humanistic caring ability among vocational college nursing students: a structural equation modeling study.}},
author = {Shanshan Wang and Linlin Xu and Yu Wang and Zhi Chang and Xiuyan Li and Xiuyun Wu},
journal = {BMC nursing},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-05169-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968117},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Associations of self-efficacy and learning engagement with humanistic caring ability among vocational college nursing students: a structural equation modeling study.
AU - Shanshan Wang
AU - Linlin Xu
AU - Yu Wang
AU - Zhi Chang
AU - Xiuyan Li
AU - Xiuyun Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/04
JO - BMC nursing
DO - 10.1186/s12912-026-05169-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968117
AB - Background Previous studies have investigated the associations of humanistic caring ability (HCA) with self-efficacy (SEF), or learning engagement (LN) among college students. There has been a lack of studies that examine the mediation effect of learning engagement between SEF and humanistic caring ability among nursing students. This study aimed to investigate the associations of self-efficacy with humanistic caring ability, and the mediation effect of learning engagement between SEF and HCA among vocational college nursing students.Methods This is a cross-sectional study. Nursing students were recruited from three vocational colleges in Shandong province of China. Students completed questionnaires comprising humanistic caring ability, self-efficacy and learning engagement. A structural equation model (SEM) was employed to examine the relationship between SEF and humanistic caring ability, and the mediation effect of learning engagement. Weighted Least Squares Mean and Variance adjusted (WLSMV) estimator with delta parameterization was employed in the SEM. Standard error and 95% confidence interval for the estimated effects were obtained using bootstrapping.Results The structural equation model using three dimensions of humanistic caring ability showed that self-efficacy was positively associated with humanistic caring ability (direct effect β (standardized coefficient) = 0.270, bootstrap 95% CI: 0.113, 0.438; p < 0.01). Learning engagement mediated this association (total indirect effect β = 0.570, bootstrap 95% CI: 0.454, 0.672; p < 0.01). Model fit indices presented good CFI (the Comparative Fit Index = 0.967) and SRMR (the Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = 0.043), and marginal RMSEA (the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.105, 90% CI: 0.102, 0.108). The SEM using total score of humanistic caring ability yielded good CFI = 0.975 and SRMR = 0.041, and a fair RMSEA of 0.100 (90% CI: 0.096, 0.103), and showed a significant mediation effect of learning engagement (p < 0.01).Conclusions This study reveals that self-efficacy is positively associated with humanistic caring ability, and learning engagement mediates the effect of self-efficacy on humanistic caring ability among nursing students. Programs that enhance self-efficacy and learning engagement in nursing education could be evaluated as strategies to support humanistic caring ability among nursing students. Future research that extends a prospective study design and intervention studies warrant to address causality of the associations observed in this study.
SN - 1472-6955
ER -