The effectiveness of assertiveness training program on psychological wellbeing and work engagement among novice psychiatric nurses

Nurs Forum. 2020 Jul;55(3):309-319. doi: 10.1111/nuf.12430. Epub 2020 Feb 7.

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an assertiveness training program on psychological wellbeing and work engagement among novice psychiatric nurses.

Design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized (one group pre/post assessment).

Setting: The study was conducted at The Abbasia hospital for mental health in Cairo, Egypt.

Subjects: The subjects of the study were 36 novice nurses who were starting their careers the hospital during 2017/2018.

Tools: The current study used four tools for collecting the data: socio-demographic data sheet, Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, Riff's Psychological Well-Being Scale, and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale.

Results: The study results revealed a statistically significant difference between measure one and measure two intervention program regarding assertiveness skills, psychological well-being, and work engagement. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the total mean scores of assertiveness skills and total mean scores of psychological well-being.

Conclusions: This single-group feasibility study demonstrated that assertiveness training for novice nurses seems feasible. It may achieve a favorable outcome in developing assertiveness skills and improving psychological wellbeing.

Recommendations: Further randomized controlled trials with more extended follow-up periods are required.

Keywords: assertiveness; novice nurses; psychological well-being; training program; work engagement.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Assertiveness*
  • Egypt
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nurses / psychology*
  • Nurses / statistics & numerical data
  • Program Evaluation / methods
  • Psychiatric Nursing / methods
  • Psychiatric Nursing / standards
  • Psychiatric Nursing / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Teaching / psychology
  • Teaching / standards*
  • Teaching / statistics & numerical data
  • Work Engagement