aSelf-Efficacy, Emotional Intelligence, and Critical Thinking: Demographic Insights among Nursing and Midwifery Students at Islamic Azad University Branches, Iran

Abstract

Background and Purpose:
Students' self-efficacy is considered a crucial concept in education. Various factors, including emotional intelligence and critical thinking, can influence self-efficacy. This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to organize and complete tasks to achieve specific goals), emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize and manage emotions), critical thinking (evaluating one's own and others' knowledge to improve behavior), and demographic characteristics in nursing and midwifery students.

Method:
This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on nursing and midwifery students enrolled in 2020-2023 at Islamic Azad Universities of Firozabad and Kazeroon branches. 185 students were randomly selected to fill out the questionnaires on self-efficacy, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 24 using Pearson's correlation coefficient; a p-value of <0.5 was considered significant.

Findings:
Out of the 185 participants, 78.9% were women, 66.5% were under 25 years old, and 76.2% were nursing students. Pearson's test indicated no significant relationship between critical thinking and self-efficacy (r=0.078, p=0.130). However, the creativity dimension of critical thinking was positively correlated with self-efficacy (r=0.304, p=0.001). A significant relationship was found between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy (r=0.047, p=0.046), particularly in the dimensions of self-awareness (r=0.235, p=0.001) and communication management (r=0.001, p=0.246).

Conclusion:
The study revealed no significant relationship between critical thinking and self-efficacy in the students. However, a significant association was observed between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy, specifically in self-awareness and communication management. It is recommended that educational institutions should enhance their students' critical thinking and self-efficacy through courses on emotional intelligence.