Flourishing among undergraduate nursing students: Insights from a latent profile analysis

BACKGROUND: Flourishing, as a positive psychological state, remains under-researched among undergraduate nursing students. Additionally, there is currently no published research exploring the relationships between self-reflection and insight, depletion sensitivity, and flourishing within this population. AIM: This study explored the latent profiles of flourishing among 452 undergraduate nursing students in China using latent profile analysis (LPA), and examined the predictive roles of self-reflection, insight, and depletion sensitivity. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at three universities in Hunan Province, China. METHODS: Using a convenience sampling method, undergraduate nursing students from three universities were surveyed with a general information questionnaire, the Flourishing Scale, the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale, and the Depletion Sensitivity Scale. Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify flourishing profiles, and univariate and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the differences in student characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 452 undergraduate nursing students were included in the study. Their flourishing levels were categorized into three profiles: the low-flourishing group (13.72%), the moderate-flourishing group (38.05%), and the high-flourishing group (48.23%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that democratic family atmosphere, self-reflection and insight, and depletion sensitivity were significant factors influencing the characteristics of flourishing profiles (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The flourishing levels of undergraduate nursing students can be categorized into three types. Nursing educators can implement targeted interventions based on these profiles to promote the psychological well-being of nursing students.