Impact of Levels of Perceived Stress Among Senior Nursing Undergraduates in Clinical Practice on Mobile Addiction: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between levels of perceived stress by senior nursing undergraduates during clinical training and the extent of mobile addiction. The study was carried out at the nursing faculty, aligning with the tenets of the Helsinki Declaration and STROBE writing standards. Ninety-eight senior nursing undergraduate students participated in the research. Data collection involved the use of a "Descriptive Characteristics Information Form," the "Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students," and the "Mobile Addiction Scale." SPSS 24.0 was used to analyse the data. Among the participants, 62.9% (n=61) were female, with a mean age of 22.41±2.58 years. While 83% (n=83) expressed satisfaction with their department, 52.6% (n=51) reported frequent mobile device use, primarily for social media. On average, students spent 4.56±2.12 hours daily on mobile devices. The mean score for perceived stress was 66.51±22.32, and for mobile addiction, it was 67.72±20.34. The perceived stress level accounted for 12% of the variance in mobile addiction. The study revealed a significant impact of stress experienced during clinical practice on mobile addiction among senior nursing undergraduates. It reveals the significance of providing stress management training to improve students' coping mechanisms and increase their awareness of mobile addiction.