Effects of Social Emotional Competency on College Life Adjustment in Nursing University Students

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of social emotional competency on college life adjustment in nursing university students. Methods The subjects of the study were 197 nursing students enrolled in a four-year two university located in city C, and the data were collected from June 7 to the end of July 2023 using a self-report questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis using the SPSS WIN 22.0 statistical program. Results The average social emotional competency of the nursing students was 4.06±0.49, and the sub-domains were ranked by relationship management, responsible decision making, self-awareness, social awareness, and self-management. The average college life adjustment was 3.68±0.58, and the sub-domains were ranked by academic fidelity, interpersonal relationships, active coping, major satisfaction, job preparation, and major excellence. College life adjustment was positively correlated with social emotional competency (r=0.71, p<.001). The factors affecting the subjects' college life adjustment were social emotional competency (ß=.694, p<.001) and personality (ß=.191, p=.014), and the most influential variable was social emotional competency, and the total explanatory power of these variables was 52.1%. Conclusions In order to support nursing student's college life adjustment It is suggested to development a program that can improve and strengthen the level of social emotional competency, and utilizing it in educational setting and continuously managing it.