Abstract:

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the perceived social support levels of nursing students and their occupational stress and coping behaviors. Material and Method: The research was conducted in a descriptive and correlational design. The data of the study were collected by using face-to-face interview technique through 254 students studying in the nursing department of a university in the spring semester of 2021-2022. A descriptive information form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students (PSSNS), and the Scale of Coping Behaviours of Stress for Nursing Students (SCBSNS) were used to collect data. Correlation analysis tests were used to compare descriptive statistics and scale score averages in the evaluation of the data. Results: It was determined that the mean age of the students participating in the study was 20.72±1.85, 68.9% were female, and 55.1% had an income level equal to expenditure. 69.3% of the students who participated in the study reported that their academic achievement was moderate. In the study, the mean scores of the scale were determined as 50.75±17.75, 59.59±24.35, and 39.74±9.77 for MSPSS, PSSNS, and SCBSNS, respectively. A positive and statistically significant correlation at the level of r=.207 was found between MSPSS and total scores of SCBSNS (p=0.001). A positive and statistically significant correlation was found at the level of r=.233 between the total scores of PSSNS and SCBSNS (p=0.000). Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was found that there was a positive and significant relationship between the students' perceived social support levels and their stress coping behaviors. It is thought that nursing students should be supported in order to use effective coping strategies with perceived high stress.

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