The Correlation Between Self-Differentiation and Clinical Internship Adaptability among Nursing Interns and Its Influencing Factors

Abstract

Objective To systematically investigate the levels of self-differentiation and clinical internship adaptability among nursing interns, explore the correlation between the two indicators, and analyze the influencing factors of their clinical internship adaptability, so as to provide a theoretical basis for formulating intervention strategies to improve nursing interns’ clinical adaptability. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with data collected via convenience sampling. The research subjects were 264 nursing interns undergoing clinical rotation from June to August 2025 in a university in Shandong Province. General information questionnaire, Self-Differentiation Scale and Clinical Internship Adaptability Scale were adopted as assessment tools, and SPSS 27.0 statistical software was used for data analysis. Results The total score of self-differentiation among nursing interns was (4.01±0.69), and the total score of clinical internship adaptability was (3.08±0.79). Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between self-differentiation and clinical internship adaptability (r=0.653, P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that nursing major preference, attitudes toward employment prospects, participation in social activities, academic average scores at school and self-differentiation level together accounted for 54.2% of the variance in clinical internship adaptability. Conclusion Nursing interns presented a moderate level of self-differentiation and a moderately low level of clinical internship adaptability. Preference for nursing major, perceptions of employment prospects, social activity participation, academic performance and self-differentiation are all influencing factors of clinical internship adaptability, among which self-differentiation serves as the strongest predictive factor.