title: Psychological well-being of Thai nursing students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The psychological well-being of nursing students is a very important component in the training and development of future nurses. While previous studies have explored different aspects of nursing students' mental and psychological health in various countries, they have given little attention to comparing nursing students with their non-nursing student peers. The present study investigated the differences between nursing students and non-nursing students in Thailand with regard to their psychological well-being. The gender effect was also examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred students were included in this study (200 nursing students and 200 non-nursing students). Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and four psychological instruments that examined their self-esteem, life satisfaction, depression, and social difficulties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, compared to their non-nursing counterparts, nursing students were found to score significantly higher on self-esteem and life satisfaction and reported lower levels of depression and social difficulties. Gender was also found to have a significant main effect on participants' social difficulties. Several recommendations for improving the mental health and psychological well-being of nursing students are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling, California State University-Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840, USA. pratanas@csulb.edu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ratanasiripong
authors.forename: Chia-Chih D C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010379:Peer Group; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult