Prevalence of Workplace Conflicts and the Used Coping Strategies Among Nurses in Teaching Hospitals in Qom City, Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Conflicts arise when a person or group perceives that another person or group opposes their interests, beliefs, and values. Although conflict usually carries a negative sense, it may be productive for nurses, their colleagues, or patients in clinical settings. Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of workplace conflict and the coping strategies used by nurses working in teaching hospitals in Qom City, Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design. Study participants comprised 373 nurses in teaching hospitals affiliated with Qom University of Medical Sciences. They were selected using simple random sampling. Data collection tools were a demographic form, DuBrin workplace conflict questionnaire, and Putnam and Wilson’s organizational communication conflict instrument (OCCI). The obtained data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate linear regression model. Results: Most participants were female (63.8%) with a bachelor’s degree (88.3%). Their mean age was 34.78±5.96 years. The mean score of workplace conflicts was 10.04±3.93 and the mean score of the control strategy was significantly higher in nurses with a high level of workplace conflict (24.90±3.75). The multivariate regression results revealed that age, sex, marital status, educational level, type of employment, department of service, work experience, and three conflict resolution strategies could predict 32% of workplace conflict (adjusted R2=0.32, P=0.001). Conclusion: Workplace conflict among nurses of hospitals in Qom is high. They mostly use the solution-orientated strategy followed by non-confrontation and control strategies.