The role of career stress in the effect of future fear of violence on brain drain attitude among university health sciences students

Abstract Brain drain, the emigration of skilled professionals in search of better opportunities, has been a growing concern among university health sciences students. This study examines the mediating role of career stress in the relationship between future fear of violence and brain drain attitudes. A cross-sectional research design was employed, with data collected from 728 university students at a private university in İzmir, Turkey. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire including the Future Fear of Violence Scale, Brain Drain Attitude Scale, and Career Stress Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to establish construct validity, and mediation effects were tested using Hayes’ 2022 PROCESS macro with bootstrapping (5,000 resamples). The findings indicate a significant positive relationship between Future Fear of Violence and Brain Drain Attitude, with career stress acting as a mediating factor. Specifically: Future Fear of Violence significantly predicted Career Ambiguity and Lack of Information, External Conflict, and Employment Pressure. Career stress sub-dimensions significantly predicted Push Factors and Pull Factors of Brain Drain Attitude. The mediation models confirmed that Future Fear of Violence indirectly influences Push Factors and Pull Factors through Career Ambiguity and Lack of Information, External Conflict, and Employment Pressure. This study highlights that university students’ fear of future violence contributes to increased career stress, which in turn strengthens their intentions to emigrate. The findings suggest that addressing students’ concerns about workplace violence and career-related stress may help mitigate brain drain. The document highlights the need to address career stress and concerns about violence among university students studying health sciences in order to manage potential brain drain. Healthcare management can leverage these insights to develop targeted interventions that foster a supportive work environment, ultimately improving retention rates of skilled professionals in the healthcare sector. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, can play a pivotal role in providing mental health support to these individuals, helping them navigate their career-related anxieties and fears.