Latent profiles of humanistic care competence among psychiatric nurses: a cross-sectional study

Humanistic care competence is critical to ensuring the quality of care for psychiatric patients, yet it shows substantial individual heterogeneity. This study aimed to identify latent profiles of humanistic care competence among psychiatric nurses and explore its influencing factors to provide evidence for the development of targeted intervention strategies.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 288 psychiatric nurses recruited through convenience sampling. Data on demographic characteristics, humanistic care competence, empathy, work environment, and social support were collected using standardized questionnaires. Humanistic care competence was operationalized based on the Knowing, Courage, and Patience dimensions of the Caring Ability Inventory (CAI). Latent profile analysis was conducted using these three dimensions. Univariate analysis and binary logistic regression were subsequently performed to identify factors associated with latent class membership.

Two latent profiles were identified: a High humanistic care competence-Low Courage group (83.0%) and a Low humanistic care competence-High Courage group (17.0%). The High humanistic care competence-Low Courage group was characterized by higher Knowing and Patience and lower Courage, whereas the opposite pattern was observed in the Low humanistic care competence-High Courage group. Using the latter as the reference group, binary logistic regression showed that older age, female gender, higher empathy, a more favorable work environment, higher social support, and fewer night shifts significantly predicted membership in the High humanistic care competence-Low Courage group (all p < 0.05).

Psychiatric nurses' humanistic care competence can be categorized into two distinct latent profiles characterized by contrasting patterns of Knowing, Courage, and Patience. Older age, female gender, higher empathy, a supportive work environment, greater social support, and lower night shift frequency were associated with the higher competence profile.