Characteristics of Learning Motivation and Social Support of the Third Grade Nursing Students

−Longitudinal Studies of the First and Third Grades−

Abstract

　The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between learning motivation and recognition of social support by longitudinal studies of first and third grade nursing students. A questionnaire survey on social support and learning motivation was carried out for the third and first grade students of a nursing school.

　Results showed that the motivation of third grade students changed from intrinsic to extrinsic, and their recognition of support from friends and mothers was higher than that of the other persons. The recognition of support from friends and mother was also high among first grade students. In addition, the recognition of support from teachers, mother and friends from outside the university correlated with learning motivation. These results suggest that the recognition of emotional and instrumental support are significant factors for learning motivation among students.