Exploring the psychological health related profile of nursing students in Singapore: a cluster analysis.

Aim. To determine whether definable profiles exist in a cohort of nursing student with regard to factors associated with nurses' perceived emotional intelligence, social support and stress level. Background. There is a need to have a basic understanding of a nursing student's psychological health-related life quality profile will have a direct effect on their study and contribution to nursing educators to develop an appropriate learning environment for nursing students. Design. A descriptive survey. Methods. Data were collected in January 2009 in one nursing school in Singapore. A sample of 112 full-time baccalaureate nursing students from year 1-3 completed the stress in nursing students, social support rating scale and Trait meta-mood scale. Results. Cluster analysis revealed two profiles in four main factors: demographic, perceived emotional intelligence, social support and stress level. Conclusions. Findings might help by providing important information for health care professionals to develop interventions that improve students' psychological health during their university life. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings will assist nursing educators or health care professionals by creating psychological health-related life quality profiles that they can use to develop interventions to improve the health of nursing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]