THE HIGH COST OF BEING STRONG: RESILIENCE, EMPATHY, AND THEIR NEGATIVE ASSOCIATION WITH HAPPINESS IN POST-PANDEMIC NURSING INTERNS

Abstract

Nursing internships are a key turning point in training and the final step before earning a bachelor’s degree, requiring students to demonstrate scientific knowledge and effective performance across clinical roles—especially as post-pandemic strains persist in health institutions. This cross-sectional study included 166 nursing interns nearing the end of their rotation. The mean age was 29.07 years; 7% were 41–60 years old, and most participants were women. Results showed a moderate, significant negative association between empathy and happiness (r = -0.482 to -0.490, p < 0.005). Bootstrap mediation analysis found no indirect effect of resilience on the empathy–happiness link (B = 0.006, 95% CI [-0.035, 0.011]). However, empathy still had a significant direct effect on happiness (b = 0.321, p < 0.005), suggesting resilience may function as a costly coping response rather than boosting well-being.