ROLE OF AGE AND EXTRAVERSION LEVEL IN SHAPING THE SELECTED SOCIAL SKILLS IN MIDWIFERY STUDENTS

Aim: The aim of the study was to characterize midwifery students in terms of the level of selected social skills such as empathy and the ability to work with emotions, assertiveness in a conflict situation and communication skills. The study was also an attempt to determine the role of age and extraversion level in shaping these competencies.Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 228 purposefully selected students of  Midwifery. Midwives' Social Competence Questionnaire was used to assess social skills. The level of extraversion was assessed by using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory.Results: The midwifery students significantly differed in relation to the level of communication skills. These differences were not observed in the context of empathy and assertiveness in a conflict situation. Students’ age significantly correlated with the level of their communication skills. In addition, this relationship was observed particularly in subjects with low and medium level of empathy. The level of extraversion played the key role in shaping communication skills and assertiveness in a conflict situation.Conclusion: Our results suggest the need for using individualised education forms, which will enable efficient acquisition of social skills by midwifery students, especially interpersonal communication skills and assertive behaviour