Emotional quotient, communication skills, and social support predict psychological capital in nursing students: a cross-sectional study

Psychological capital (PsyCap), encompassing self-efficacy, hope, resilience, and optimism, is critical for nursing students to cope with academic and professional stressors. However, the predictive roles of emotional intelligence (EQ), communication skills, and social support on PsyCap remain underexplored. This study investigated predictive role of these factors’ influence on PsyCap among first-year nursing students in Iran. This cross-sectional study included 291 first-year BSc nursing students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected from September 2019 to February 2020, which covered one academic semester to ensure inclusion of all eligible students. The sample size was calculated using G*Power based on previous studies, and participants were recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected online using validated self-report questionnaires: the Psychological Capital Questionnaire, Barton Communication Skills Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Bradberry–Greaves Emotional Intelligence Test. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 with univariate and hierarchical multiple regression models. Among 291 nursing students, PsyCap showed strong correlations with emotional intelligence, communication skills, and social support (all P < 0.001). Female and married students reported higher PsyCap. In hierarchical regression, demographic variables explained 21% of the variance, which increased to 69% after adding emotional intelligence and communication skills, and to 72% with social support. Emotional intelligence was the strongest predictor (β = 0.59, P < 0.001). Enhancing EQ, communication skills, and social support can significantly boost nursing students’ PsyCap, fostering resilience and optimism for academic and clinical challenges. Nursing educators should implement targeted interventions, such as emotional regulation workshops and peer mentoring programs. Future longitudinal and multicenter studies are needed to validate these findings across diverse populations and resolve discrepancies related to demographic predictors.