Path Analysis of the Role of Social Media Use and Online Positive Feedback on Positive Coping Styles in Emergency Nurses
Qian Jiang, Rui Wang, Yueyue He, Nan Wen, Jianyu Peng, Junli Zhang, Ling FengABSTRACT
Aims
To examine the pathways through which social media use and online positive feedback are associated with positive coping styles among emergency nurses.
Design
This study used a cross‐sectional design and employed a convenience sampling method. The final sample consisted of emergency nurses from 12 hospitals across five provinces in China.
Methods
A total of 856 emergency nurses were recruited between September and December 2023. Data were collected using the Social Media Use Intensity Scale, Proactive Social Media Use Scale, Online Positive Feedback Scale and Simplified Coping Style Scale. Data were analysed using SPSS Statistics 27.0, and path analysis was performed using AMOS 28.0.
Results
Path analysis showed that social media use intensity and proactive social media use were positively associated with online positive feedback. Social media use intensity also had an indirect association with online positive feedback through proactive social media use. Online positive feedback was positively associated with positive coping styles.
Conclusion
Online positive feedback may help translate social media engagement into positive coping among emergency nurses. Supportive online environments and constructive social media engagement may therefore help strengthen adaptive coping in high‐stress clinical settings.
Implications for the Profession
Supportive online communication and constructive social media interactions may be considered as potential approaches to support emergency nurses in high‐stress clinical settings. Healthcare organizations and nursing managers could consider facilitating opportunities for peer communication, clinical experience sharing and constructive online feedback as part of broader strategies to support nurses' coping and well‐being.
Impact
This study clarifies how social media use and online positive feedback are associated with positive coping styles among emergency nurses. The findings provide healthcare organizations with evidence to consider social media as one component of support for nurses' mental well‐being in high‐stress clinical environments.
Reporting Method
Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies (STROBE).
Patient or Public Contribution
Emergency nurses completed the questionnaires used for data collection.
Trial Registration
Chinese Clinical Trials Registry: September 7, 2023; ChiCTR2300075539;