Strength Under Pressure: Exploring Resilience and Mental Health in Spanish Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on global health systems, significantly affecting both the physical and emotional well-being of populations. Nursing students represent a particularly vulnerable group due to the pandemic’s impact on their mental health and academic progression. This study aims to assess the level of resilience among Spanish university nursing students during the pandemic. Method: A longitudinal study was conducted with 361 nursing students from March to October 2020. Self-report questionnaires measured emotional intelligence, resilience, anxiety, depression, optimism, and self-efficacy during the first and second COVID-19 waves. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Resilience slightly decreased from March to October 2020, while anxiety increased and depression remained stable. Resilience was positively correlated with optimism, self-efficacy, and emotional intelligence, particularly emotion regulation. Higher resilience was predicted by not living alone, greater optimism, and stronger emotion regulation skills. Conclusions: Spanish nursing students showed variable resilience during COVID-19, positively associated with optimism, self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and mental health factors like anxiety and depression. Findings highlight the psychological impact of the pandemic and support resilience-focused interventions in nursing education.