Nursing students' personality traits, sleep quality, social media addiction, and academic performance: A multi-site structural equation model analysis

Abstract

Background

The associations between personality traits, sleep quality, social media addiction, and academic performance have been well-reported across the literature among university students. However, the interaction among these variables remains understudied among nursing students of underdeveloped countries like the Philippines.

Purpose

This study investigated the interrelationships of personality traits, sleep quality, social media addiction, and academic performance among Filipino nursing students.

Methods

A correlational, cross-sectional design and convenience sampling was used to recruit nursing students (n = 823) from five nursing colleges in the Philippines. Three standardized instruments (10-item Personality Inventory, 19-item Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 6-item Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale) were used to collect data from June to August 2023. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) was employed to analyze the data. STROBE checklist guided in reporting study results.

Results

The emerging model demonstrated satisfactory model fit parameters. Nursing students reported high levels of extraversion (x̅=6.13, SD = 2.08) with low scores in emotional stability (x̅ =6.76, SD = 2.30) and openness to experiences (x̅ =8.80, SD = 2.09). The majority had poor sleep quality (x̅=8.35, SD = 3.12) and were at low risk for social media addiction (x̅=17.73, SD = 5.61). Conscientiousness (β = −0.13, p = 0.031) and emotional stability (β = −0.35, p = 0.002) inversely influenced sleep quality. Agreeableness (OR = 1.13, p = 0.007) and openness to experiences (OR = 1.11, p = 0.050) had a positive effect, while conscientiousness (OR = 0.84, p = 0.006) had a negative effect on high-risk social media addiction. Conscientiousness (β = 0.12, p = 0.010) significantly and positively influenced academic performance. Conscientiousness and emotional stability were able to measure 15.00 % of sleep quality's total variance.

Conclusion

Policymakers, nursing college administrators, and nurse educators could use these findings to evaluate students' personality traits and create programs that will promote better sleep quality and prevent social media addiction. Hence, enhancing academic performance.