Relation between decision-making styles among head nurses and their personality traits

Abstract

Background Decision-making styles differ from one head nurse to another one based on several factors and a variety of personality traits that collaboratively affect the proficiency of the decision. Aim This study aimed to assess the relation between decision-making styles among head nurses and their personality traits. Design A descriptive correlational research design was used in carrying out the current study. Setting This study was conducted at nine hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health at Beni-Suef governorate and included six central hospitals and three specialty hospitals. Patients A purposive sample of 137 head nurses was included as a study sample. Data-collection tools Three tools were used to carry out this study, namely (a) factors affecting decision-making questionnaire, (b) general decision-making style inventory, and (c) personality-trait questionnaire. Results The mean age of the study sample was 35.2±6.8. Majority (90.5%) of the head nurses had a low level of rational style, the highest mean was regarding psychoticism neuroticism trait (21.41±0.86). There was a statistically significant correlation between intuitive decision-making style of head nurses and their neuroticism traits. There was a statistically significant correlation between dependent decision-making style of head nurses and their psychoticism and lie traits. Conclusion There was a highly statistically significant correlation between spontaneous decision-making style of head nurses and their extraversion and neuroticism traits. Also, there was a highly statistically significant correlation between intuitive decision-making style of head nurses and their psychoticism trait. Recommendations Periodic training and evaluation of head nurses on decision-making skills and giving more attention for personality traits of head nurses and their effect on decision-making.