Mediating Effects of Role Perception of Life-sustaining Treatment in the Relationship between Knowledge of Life-sustaining Treatment Plans and Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment among Nursing College Students

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between Knowledge of Life-sustaining Treatment Plans and Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment among nursing college students, and attempted to identify the mediating effect of Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment in that relationship. It is hoped that the findings will ultimately contribute to the development of active nursing strategies. METHODS: The participants were 142 nursing college students in the third and fourth years of study who had experienced clinical practice at two universities in cities Y and C. Data were collected from November 1 to 30, 2019. For data analysis, SPSS for Windows version 22.0 was used to calculate descriptive statistics, the t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. To analyze the mediating effect, the Baron and Kenny bootstrapping method was used. RESULTS: Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment of nursing college students had a significant positive correlation with Knowledge of Life-sustaining Treatment Plans (r=0.34, P<0.001) and Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment (r=0.44, P<0.001). Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment partially mediated the relationship between Knowledge of Life-sustaining Treatment Plans and Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment (95% CI, 0.446~1.055). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, improving nursing college students’ Role Perception on Life-sustaining Treatment could be used as a coping strategy to establish positive Attitudes toward Withdrawal of Life-sustaining Treatment.