The Relationship between Moral Intelligence and The Belongingness Experience with Professional Behaviors among Iranian bachelor-level Nursing Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Background and aim: The foundation of belief, belonging, and ethical values develop PB as a meaningful attribute during the period students and caring for patients. This study was intended to examine the relationship of both moral intelligence (MI) and the belongingness experience (BE) with the level of nursing students' professional behaviors (PB).Materials and method: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. Descriptive data were derived from the Belongingness Scale-Clinical Placement Experience (BES-CPE), the Moral Intelligence Questionnaire (MIQ), and the Nursing Students Professional Behaviors Scale (NSPBS) including ۲۰۰ students (response rate ۹۴.۵%).Results: We found a statistically strong positive correlation between NSPB, MI, and BE. The regression model accounted for ۵۷.۸% of the variance in NSPB; BE and MI were significant explanatory variables of NSPB. Moreover, the non-employed dormitory students had a significant statistical difference in the scores of all three variables. Female students had significantly higher BE and MI (p˂۰.۰۵).Conclusion: According to our findings, preventive and mediation endeavors for nursing students can explicitly target their behavioral skills to reduce perceived rejection and improve morality. As a result, an optimal plan to improve the quality of professional training courses for students should be designed based on the comprehension of clinical belonging and moral intelligence.