Mediating effects of emotional intelligence and resilience on the relationship between type D personality and caring ability in nursing students: A cross-sectional study

Background: Nursing students must learn about the core values of nursing care. Thus, education designed to improve their caring ability should be included in nursing curricula. Nursing students' caring ability is reportedly affected by emotional intelligence and resilience. However, no studies have explored whether these qualities have mediating effects on the relationship between nursing students' type D personality and their caring ability. Objectives: To examine the mediating effects of emotional intelligence and resilience on the relationship between type D personality and caring ability in nursing students. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey study. Setting: The study was conducted in South Korea. Participants: 278 nursing students. Methods: Type D personality, emotional intelligence, resilience, and caring ability were measured using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlations, regression analysis, and Hayes' Process Macro using the bootstrap method. Results: Results indicated that type D personality significantly predicted emotional intelligence (B = -6.80, p < .001), resilience (B = -6.77, p < .001), and caring ability (B = -7.20, p = .001). Emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between type D personality and caring ability. Conclusion: Interventions to improve the caring ability of nursing students should include an evaluation of nursing students' emotional intelligence and strategies to promote their emotional intelligence.