Psychosocial Factors as Determinants of Self-Acceptance among Nursing Students in the Ibadan Metropolis

Abstract

This study examined the determinants of self-acceptance like self-compassion, emotional intelligence, locus of control, Peer influence and self-esteem. The study adopted a descriptive research design of correlational type. A sample of two hundred Nursing students were selected using simple random sampling technique. Questionnaires consisting of seven sections viz demographic information sections, self-acceptance section α = .81, self-compassion section α =.91,emotional intelligence sectionα =.91, locus of control section α =.90, peer influence section α =.94 and self-esteem sectionα =.75. Three research questions were answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that self-compassion (r = 0.419 and p < 0.05), emotional intelligence (r = 0.471, p<0.05), locus of control (r = 0.322, p<0.05), peer influence (r = 0.0.300, p < 0.05) and self-esteem (r =0.359, p < 0.05) had significant relationships with self-acceptance. Also, the independents variables jointly accounted for 41.8% variance in predicting self-acceptance among Nursing students in the Ibadan metropolis. On relative contribution, self-compassion (β = 0.169, t = 2.066, p < 0.05); emotional intelligence (β = 0.167, t = 2.026, p < 0.05), locus of control (β = 0.102, t = 2.183, p < 0.05), peer influence (β = 0.113, t = 1.996, p < 0.05), and finally self-esteem (β = .053, t = 1.717, p > 0.05) had relative contribution to self-acceptance among Nursing students in the Ibadan metropolis. Therefore, researchers conclude that self-compassion, emotional intelligence, locus of control, peer influence and self-esteem could predict self-acceptance among Nursing students in the Ibadan metropolis. It was recommended that teachers should have greater supervision and regulations on students to enhance effectiveness of their social support, good peers and helps in developing positive self-acceptance.