Spirituality in managing perceived stress and promoting self-care: a descriptive study on nursing students in Spain

Abstract

The relationship between spirituality, perceived stress, and self-care was examined in a sample of 515 nursing students in Spain. Using the perceived stress scale (PSS), the professional self-care scale (PSCS), and the spirituality questionnaire (MiLS-sp/sf), the findings indicated that higher spirituality, particularly through inner peace and faith, was linked to reduced stress and enhanced self-care across physical, inner, and social dimensions. However, the inner self-care dimension was the least developed, suggesting that essential emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs were neglected. This result highlights the necessity for a comprehensive self-care model that empowers students to create personalised strategies to enhance their inner and spiritual self-care. It is essential that these findings give rise to practical applications in order to promote the well-being and professional effectiveness of nursing students.