Relationship between Depression and Self- efficacy in Nursing Students

Self-efficacy regulates stressful processes. Furthermore، students are known as a high risk group for depression suffering. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depression and self- efficacy in nursing students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This is a correlational study. The study population consisted of undergraduate nursing students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. For sampling، some classes were randomly selected. Totally، 249 nursing students from semesters 1-6 completed the questionnaires. Data gathering tool consisted of three sections: Demographic information، Sherer’s et al. general self-efficacy questionnaire and Beck’s depression inventory. SPSS-PC (v. 16) and statistical tests such as Pearson correlation، Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were applied for data analysis. Pearson correlation test showed statistically significant reverse correlation between students’ depression and their self-efficacy scores (p<0. 001; r=-0. 461). Furthermore، there were significant reverse relationship between depression and interest to field (p<0. 001). There were also significant direct relationship between self -efficacy and adequacy of family income (p=0. 029). The findings showed a reverse relationship between nursing students’ depression and their self- efficacy. It means that higher levels of depression is correlated with lower levels of self -efficacy. Further research to investigate the relationship between self- efficacy and depression in other faculties and in comparison with other fields is recommended.