Explaining Nursing Students Perceptions of the Importance of Caring Behaviors: A
Mixed-Methods Study
#MMPMID41341416
Taghaee F
; Shabany M
; Afaghi E
; Faridi M
Health Sci Rep
2025[Dec]; 8
(12
): e71491
PMID41341416
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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Attitudes associated with caring behaviors (CBs) are
critical for ensuring high-quality nursing care. This study aimed to explore
nursing students' perceptions of their importance. METHODS: This mixed-methods
study was conducted using the sequential explanatory design. In the quantitative
phase, 117 nursing students out of those enrolled in the third and fourth years
at the School of Nursing were selected via convenience sampling. The 35-item
Caring Dimensions Inventory (CDI-35) was then completed by the students. After
analyzing their scores, those obtaining low, moderate, and high mean values were
purposively recruited for the qualitative phase of the study. Subsequently, 12
face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with the nursing
students, and the data were analyzed using conventional content analysis.
RESULTS: The nursing students had a high level of perceptions (94%) regarding the
importance of CBs. The mean (SD) of CDI-35 was 134.49 (10.67). In the qualitative
phase, three main themes emerged: holistic care (including somatic care,
palliative care, mental health care, spiritual care, and family-centered care),
respecting patient rights (such as confidentiality and truth-telling), and
barriers to effective care (including lack of professionalism, cultural
insensitivity, and poor communication). CONCLUSION: As evidenced, healthcare
policymakers and clinical instructors should develop and implement appropriate CB
training programs for nursing students to promote the quality of patient care
services.
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