Effect of a Solution-Focused Intervention on Future Anxiety and Life Satisfaction in First-Year Nursing Students

Study Design and AimThis randomized controlled experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of asolution‐focused intervention on future anxiety and life satisfaction among first‐yearnursing students. The study was conducted with first‐year nursing students enrolled inthe Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Yalova University. Data werecollected between January 15, 2025, and June 20, 2025.Research HypothesesH0a: The solution‐focused intervention has no effect on students' future anxiety.H0b: The solution‐focused intervention has no effect on students' life satisfaction.H0c: The effect of the solution‐focused intervention on students' future anxiety is notmaintained at the 1‐month and 3‐month follow‐up assessments.H0d: The effect of the solution‐focused intervention on students' life satisfaction isnot maintained at the 1‐month and 3‐month follow‐up assessments.H1a: The solution‐focused intervention is effective in reducing students' future anxiety.H1b: The solution‐focused intervention is effective in increasing students' lifesatisfaction.H1c: The effect of the solution‐focused intervention on students' future anxiety ismaintained at the 1‐month and 3‐month follow‐up assessments.H1d: The effect of the solution‐focused intervention on students' life satisfaction ismaintained at the 1‐month and 3‐month follow‐up assessments.Participants, Sample Size, and RandomizationThe study population consisted of 87 first‐year nursing students enrolled in theDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Yalova University.The sample size was determined using G*Power 3.1.9. The power analysis indicated that aminimum total sample size of 24 participants, with at least 8 participants in each group,was sufficient. To account for possible dropouts during the study, the planned samplesize was increased to 36 participants, with 12 participants allocated to each group.The Future Anxiety Scale for University Students was administered to the students, andthe scores were ranked from highest to lowest. The 36 students with the highest scoreswho met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study were included.These students were assigned to the solution‐focused intervention group (n=12),psychoeducation group (n=12), and control group (n=12) using stratified randomization inSPSS to provide a balanced distribution of future anxiety scores among the groups.Solution‐Focused Intervention GroupThe solution‐focused intervention was conducted between February 17 and March 28, 2025.It consisted of six weekly sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. The sessions were conductedin classrooms at the Faculty of Health Sciences. Session times were arranged according tothe students' course schedules, and the sessions were conducted in a quiet setting whereprivacy could be maintained.The intervention included goal setting, the miracle question, scaling questions,exception questions, future‐oriented questions, identification of strengths andresources, reframing, compliments, solution‐focused activities, and aletter‐to‐the‐future exercise. Homework assignments and changes observed between sessionswere discussed during the following sessions.In the sixth session, the intervention process was reviewed, participants' copingstrategies and changes during the sessions were discussed, and participants wereencouraged to continue using the skills they had gained. The post‐test was administeredat the end of the intervention. Follow‐up assessments were conducted 1 month and 3 monthsafter the intervention.Psychoeducation GroupThe psychoeducation group received two sessions, each lasting 30 minutes. The firstsession was conducted in February 2025 and included information about future anxiety andlife satisfaction, explanations using examples, and answers to participants' questions.No intervention was provided during weeks 2‐5.The second session was conducted in March 2025. Information was provided on strategies toreduce future anxiety, improve life satisfaction, and cope with anxiety. Participants'questions were answered during the session. The post‐test was administered after thesecond session. Follow‐up assessments were conducted 1 month and 3 months later.Control GroupNo intervention was provided to the control group during the study period. The controlgroup completed the assessments at the same measurement points as the other groups:baseline, post‐test, 1‐month follow‐up, and 3‐month follow‐up.Data Collection and Outcome AssessmentsData were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Future Anxiety Scale forUniversity Students, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Future anxiety and lifesatisfaction were assessed at baseline, post‐test, 1‐month follow‐up, and 3‐monthfollow‐up.Ethical ConsiderationsEthical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of HealthSciences, Yalova University, on January 8, 2025 (No. 2024/338). Institutional permissionwas obtained from the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Yalova University,on January 15, 2025 (Document No. E‐76051854‐100‐2500003973).Participation in the study was voluntary. The purpose and procedures of the study wereexplained to the participants, and verbal and written informed consent was obtainedbefore participation. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration ofHelsinki.