Abstract: Objective: To explore the role of psychological capital between perceived stress and professional identity among psychiatric nurses, in order to improve the professional identity of psychiatric nurses. Methods: Totally 927 psychiatric nurses were recruited from Psychiatric Hospital in Liaoning Province. The questionnaires used in this study included Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), and Occupational Identity Scale (OIS), as well as a demographic data sheet. Hierarchical linear regression was performed to analyze the associations among perceived stress, psychological capital and professional identity. Bootstrap were used to explore the mediating role of psychological capital. Results: The perceived stress score of psychiatric nurses was (17.11±5.75), the psychological capital score was (96.16±18.66), and the professional identity score was (28.81±7.23).The mediating role of psychological capital in the association between perceived stress and professional identity were -0.148 (95%CI: -0.187, -0.113). Conclusion: The perceived stress and psychological capital of psychiatric nurses are associated with professional identity. Psychological capital has some intermediary effects between perceived stress and professional identity among psychiatric nurses. Implementing measures focusing on both perceived stress and psychological capital may provide success in improving the professional identity of psychiatric nurses.

Key words: psychiatric nurse; perceived stress; psychological capital; professional identity