Mediating Effect of Social Support between Optimism and Learning Flow in Nursing Students

This study aims to examine whether social support has a mediating effect on the relationship between optimism and learning flow as a strategy to promote learning flow in nursing students. The subjects of the study were first-, second-, third-, and fourth year students enrolled in the department of nursing at a four-year university located in city G. Data collection was conducted from September to October 2024. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Baron and Kenny's regression analysis. The results of the correlation analysis between the variables in this study are as follows. Optimism and social support (r=.372, p<.001), social support and learning flow (r=.445, p<.001), and optimism and learning flow (r=.437, p<.001) all showed positive correlations. The results of the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between optimism and learning flow according to Baron and Kenny's regression analysis are as follows. In step 1, optimism showed a positive effect on social support (β=.372. p<.001). In step 2, optimism showed a positive effect on learning flow (β=.437. p<.001). In step 3, social support showed a partial mediating effect between optimism and learning flow (β=.315. p<.001, β=.328. p<.001). Overall, these findings suggest that strategies that promote optimism and social support are needed to enhance learning flow among nursing students.