Differences of assertive behavior among female nursing students and female students of other faculties

Uvod: Zdravstvena nega je dolgo veljala za tipično ženski poklic, kjer so medicinskim sestram pripisovali stereotipno žensko, to je pomočniško vlogo, in je zato asertivno vedenje med medicinskimi sestrami dolgo veljalo za manj izrazito kot v drugih po izobrazbi primerljivih poklicih. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti, ali so študentke zdravstvene nege enako asertivne kot študentke drugih fakultet Univerze na Primorskem in Evropske pravne fakultete v Novi Gorici in ali se s starostjo asertivnost študentk zvišuje. Metode: Uporabili smo deskriptivno in neeksperimentalno metodo raziskovanja. Kot raziskovalni instrument smo uporabili The Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (vprašalnik samoocene asertivnosti). Anketiranje je potekalo na namenskem vzorcu. Spletni vprašalnik je bil preko URL-naslova poslan na skupne elektronske naslove študentom nekaterih fakultet Univerze na Primorskem in Evropske pravne fakultete v Novi Gorici. Izpolnjen vprašalnik je vrnilo 218 študentk. Raziskava je potekala v maju in juniju leta 2010. Podatke smo obdelali na podlagi deskriptivne statistike in enosmerne analize variance (ANOVA). Rezultati: Ugotovili smo, da študentke Fakultete za vede o zdravju ne izkazujejo statistično značilno nižje asertivnosti v primerjavi s študentkami drugih fakultet, zajetih v raziskavo (F = 0,37, p = 0,83). Ugotovili smo tudi, da starejše študentke v primerjavi z mlajšimi študentkami ne izkazujejo statistično značilno višje asertivnosti (F = 1,52, p = 0,22). Diskusija in zaključek: Poznavanje asertivnega vedenja je pri študentih zdravstvene nege pomembno, saj predstavlja pomemben temelj in bistveno prvino medosebnega odnosa. Učenje novega načina odzivanja in novih načinov vedenja v profesionalnih situacijah ni preprosto in je dolgotrajen proces. Morali bi razmisliti o spodbujanju asertivnega vedenja med študenti zdravstvene nege, morda tudi z vpeljavo treningov asertivnosti v učni program ter dodatnim usposabljanjem učiteljev zdravstvene nege v tej smeri.Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine whether the nursing students are equally assertive as students of other faculties of the University of Primorska and the European Faculty of Law in Nova Gorica and whether assertiveness among students increases with age. Nursing has been considered to be a typical female profession where nurses function as nurturers, comforters and care providers. The assertive behaviour among nurses was accordingly considered less pronounced than in other professionals with similar educational level. Methods: The research was based on a descriptive and non-experimental research method. A questionnaire used as a research instrument included the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. The purposive sampling was used in this qualitative research. The access to the online questionnaire was provided through URL address which was sent to the students\u27common e-mail addresses at some faculties of the University of Primorska and the European Faculty of Law in Nova Gorica. The questionnaires were completed and returned by 218 female students. The survey was conducted in May and June of 2010. The data collected were analysed using the descriptive statistics and the One-Way ANOVA. Results: According to the results obtained, the nursing students do not manifest statistically significant lower assertiveness levels as compared to the students of other faculties included in the study (F = 0.37, p = 0.83). It has also been established that older students are not statistically significantly more assertive in comparison to younger female students (F = 1.52, p =0.22). Discussion and conclusion: Assertive behaviour is a core element of interpersonal relationships and an important communication skill. Learning new communication skills and behaviours in professional situations, however, is not an easy task and takes a considerable time. To function as effective and safe practitioners, nurses should be encouraged to develop appropriate assertive behavioural patterns. The education in assertiveness should be integrated in their professional preparation which necessitates also adequately qualified teachers and mentors

Development and preliminary validation of the scale of factors which influence decision-making of the elderly to take part in physical exercise programs

Regular physical activity and exercise are beneficial for both physical and mental health. However, in the elderly, the level of physical activity they partake in is consistently inadequate. Recognizing the need to enhance the participation of the elderly in organized physical exercise and understanding the factors which influence their decision-making becomes pivotal. The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement instrument, specifically a scale, to identify these factors and evaluate its psychometric properties. First, the statements were formulated, which was followed by content assessment by a panel of experts. In the process of scale validation, its internal consistency, stability, correlations between the variables, and factor structure were also evaluated. The scale was tested on a sample of 1777 participants engaged in guided physical exercise at the School of Health Association (društvo Šola zdravja), all aged 60 years or more. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor model with 27 statements which explained 42.9% of variability. The results indicated weak, but statistically significant correlations between the factors and an acceptable level of internal consistency and stability of the entire scale. This scale, developed to establish the factors that influence the decision-making of the elderly to take part in organized physical exercise, represents a valid and reliable measurement instrument, which can be beneficial in the planning and promotion of organized physical exercise programs for the elderly