Humanistic caring ability of midwifery students in China and its associated factors: A multi-centre cross-sectional study

Background: Research regarding humanistic caring has proliferated to enable person-centred and holistic care. Empirical evidence investigating the humanistic caring ability is largely derived from studies recruiting general nursing students. Midwifery students, however, remain underrepresented. Objectives: To assess the humanistic caring ability of midwifery students in China and investigate its associated factors. Design: A multi-centre cross-sectional descriptive study. Settings: Five medical colleges spreading across Eastern, Central and Southern China. Participants: Secondary vocational, higher vocational and undergraduate midwifery students (N = 303). Methods: The Caring Ability Inventory (CAI), the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy for Nursing Students (JSPE-NS), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students (PISNS) were used to measure humanistic caring ability, empathy, resilience and professional identity, respectively. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to explore associated factors. Results: The midwifery students' total mean CAI score was 184.63 +/- 19.88. In the multiple linear regression analysis, empathy (beta = 0.394, p < 0.001), resilience (beta = 0.233, p < 0.001) and professional identity (beta = 0.161, p = 0.002) were positively associated with the humanistic caring ability of midwifery students. The humanistic caring ability was also influenced by educationl level, perceived concern from peers and recognition of caring ability as a prerequisite for midwifery profession. Conclusions: Midwifery students in China have poor humanistic caring ability, which needs to be further improved. Interventions that cultivate the empathy, resilience and professional identity have the potential to advance the humanistic caring ability of midwifery students. Promoting a supportive and caring atmosphere among peers is also important.