Comparison between virtual and hybrid education for psychological factors and academic stress in freshman nursing students: a case-control study

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted several changes in the learning methods of students. The purpose of this study was to establish whether a relationship between levels of resilience, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and academic stress in both hybrid and virtual learning education exist.

Methods: A descriptive and observational case-control study was carried out in universities that offer nursing designation. A total sample of 140 freshman nursing students was recruited. Concretely, 70 participants were recruited from an university receiving hybrid education and 70 participants were recruited from another university receiving virtual learning education. Nursing students self-reported the following questionnaires: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, the 10 CD-Risk Connor-Davidson Risk Resilience Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Academic Stress Coping Scale.

Results: Significant differences (P = 0.001) showed higher depression levels for st