Professional Identity as a Protective Resource: A Cross-Sectional Study of Workplace Negative Behaviors and Psychological Distress Among Chinese Nursing Interns

Background Nursing interns are particularly vulnerable to workplace negative behaviors during their clinical practicum, which can critically shape their professional development and the quality of patient care. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship remain inadequately explained within comprehensive theoretical frameworks. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 234 undergraduate nursing interns were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Southwest China. Participants completed validated measures including the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. Data analysis employed Spearman's correlation and multiple linear regression. Results The mean scores indicated moderate exposure to workplace negative behavior (28.71 ± 6.10), with anxiety (44.02 ± 9.99) and depression (47.01 ± 10.69) levels approaching clinical significance. Regression analysis revealed that depression (β = 0.442, p < 0.001), anxiety (β = 0.229, p = 0.001), and positive coping strategies (β = 0.218, p = 0.002) were significant predictors, collectively explaining 34.3% of the variance. Professional attitude demonstrated the strongest correlation with exposure to workplace negative behavior (r = 0.399, p < 0.001). Conclusion The impact of workplace negative behaviors on nursing interns is substantially mediated through psychological distress, while coping strategies and professional attitude serve as important moderating factors. These findings suggest that healthcare institutions should implement integrated support systems incorporating mental health screening, resilience training, and professional identity development to mitigate adverse effects and promote successful transition to professional practice. Clinical trial number : not applicable.