Medical Education Management ›› 2026, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (1): 84-91.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2096-045X.2026.01.014

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Impact of perceived social support on residents' professional identity: the mediating role of positive psychological capital—a case study from Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital

  

  1. 1. Department of Education, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Nanjing 210028, China; 2. Institute of Medical Humanities, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
  • Received:2025-06-09 Revised:2025-06-25 Online:2026-02-20 Published:2026-03-20

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Abstract:

 Objective　To examine the status of perceived social support, professional identity, and psychological capital among resident physicians and explore the mediating role of positive psychological capital in the relationship between perceived social support and professional identity.Methods　By purposive sampling, an online questionnaire survey was conducted among 155 resident physicians in Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital from June to October, 2023, including general demographic information, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Positive Psychological Capital Scale, and the Professional Identity Scale. Results　A total of 155 valid responses were included, with 27 males and 128 females. Resident physicians scored at an upper-middle level in all scales. The median scores were 64(57,72) points for perceived social support, 126(111,114) points for positive psychological capital, and 38(31,40) points for professional identity. Perceived social support (r=0.607, P＜0.01) and positive psychological capital (r=0.678, P＜0.01) were significantly positively correlated with professional identity. Positive psychological capital partially mediated the effect of perceived social support on professional identity (indirect effect: β=0.270, 95%CI: 0.173~0.397), accounting for 64.44% of the total effect.Conclusion　Perceived social support not only directly influences the professional identity of resident physicians but also indirectly enhances it by fostering the accumulation of positive psychological capital. In the training and management of resident physicians, optimizing social support systems, strengthening mentorship and peer assistance, and exploring positive psychological capital-based interventions—such as stress management training, career development support, and mindfulness training—can improve psychological adaptability and further enhance professional identity.

Key words:

 , resident physician｜ professional identity｜ perceived social support｜ positive psychological capital｜mediation effect

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