The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital in the Relationship Between Professional Nursing Governance, Nurses' Perceived Care Quality and Job Satisfaction
JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, cilt.2026, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 2026 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1155/jonm/3392843
- Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background Decision-making structures are a fundamental component of the professional practice environments and are closely associated with nursing excellence. Aim This study examined the relationships between professional nursing governance, nurses' perceived care quality and job satisfaction, as well as the mediating role of psychological capital in these relationships. Method This cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 514 nurses working in Istanbul between October 2024 and January 2025. Data were collected face to face and online using the Hess Professional Nursing Governance Index (IPNG) 3.0, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-12) Short Form, the Nursing Care Quality Assessment Scale and the Nurse Satisfaction Questionnaire. Descriptive and correlation analyses were performed, and the hypothesised model was tested using structural equation modelling. Results Professional nursing governance was positively related to psychological capital (standardised beta = 0.453, p < 0.01), unit-level perceived nursing care quality (standardised beta = 0.311, p < 0.01), hospital-level perceived nursing care quality (standardised beta = 0.328, p < 0.01) and job satisfaction (standardised beta = 0.376, p < 0.01). Psychological capital also demonstrated positive relationships with unit-level perceived nursing care quality (standardised beta = 0.339, p < 0.01), hospital-level perceived nursing care quality (standardised beta = 0.362, p < 0.01) and job satisfaction (standardised beta = 0.300, p < 0.01). Conclusion The findings suggest that higher levels of professional nursing governance are associated with stronger psychological capital, more favourable evaluations of care quality and greater job satisfaction among nurses. Psychological capital may represent a potential mechanism underlying the observed associations between professional nursing governance and these outcomes. Implication for Nursing Management To enhance the effectiveness of nursing management, a practice environment integrated with administrative processes should be established, granting nurses genuine and explicit decision-making authority. Managers may consider adopting a supportive and facilitative role rather than a supervisory approach, which may be associated with stronger psychological capital, greater professional autonomy, and higher organisational commitment and more favourable nurse outcomes, including higher perceived care quality and job satisfaction.