Abstract
BACKGROUND: Interpersonal sensitivity and self-efficacy are key psychological traits that critically impact the mental well-being and professional growth of nursing students. However, the complex interplay between interpersonal sensitivity and self-efficacy of nursing students has not been fully explored. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the complex relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and self-efficacy in nursing students using network analysis, identifying key symptoms within this network. METHOD: A total of 864 nursing students were recruited in this study. The Chinese Version of the Short Form of the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM-CS) and The New General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSES) were used to assess interpersonal sensitivity and self-efficacy, respectively. Centrality and bridge centrality indices were used to identify central symptoms and bridge symptoms. Network stability was examined using the case-dropping procedure. The Network Comparison Test was used to investigate the network differences by gender in nursing students. RESULTS: The strongest direct relation was observed between the symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity "I feel happy when someone compliments me" and "I can make other people feel happy". "I feel happy when someone compliments me" exhibited the highest node strength within the interpersonal sensitivity and self-efficacy network, followed by "If others knew the real me, they would not like me" and "I worry about being criticized for things that I have said or done". "Faced with difficult tasks, confident that it can be accomplished" exhibited the highest bridge strength, followed by "Ability to successfully overcome many challenges". The stability tests of the whole network indicated robustness. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the intricate and dynamic association between interpersonal sensitivity and self-efficacy among nursing students. Identifying central and bridge symptoms can provide nursing educators with valuable insights, benefiting them in enhancing nursing students' mental health by giving positive feedback, fostering self-awareness, and reinforcing coping strategies. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.