The mediating role of self-directed learning ability in the impact of educational environment, learning motivation, and emotional intelligence on metacognitive awareness in nursing students

Metacognitive awareness in nursing students rises with age and year level. Females exhibit more potent self-directed learning abilities than males. Educational environment, motivation, and emotional intelligence indirectly influence metacognitive awareness via self-directed learning ability. This finding has enriched the ways and perspectives of metacognitive awareness training for nursing students.