Relationship Between Critical Thinking Disposition and Self-esteem in Bachelor Nursing Students

Abstract

Having critical l thinking requires a conscious personality and with power of decision-making Which is of the characteristics of self-esteem. This study aimed to investigate the relationship Between critical thinking and self-esteem in first and fourth year nursing students of Jeiroft University. This correlational study was conducted with 76 first and fourth year nursing students in Jeiroft University of Medical Sciences in 2011. The data collection tool was a questionnaire consisted of three parts : The first part demographic specifications, the second part California Critical Thinking questionnaire, the third part Rosenberg Self-Esteem questionnaire. SPSS17 Software and statistical tests of t-test and chi-square were used to test for data analysis. 81 nursing students completed the questionnaires of California Critical Thinking Skills Test. The total mean score of critical thinking was 11.5 ± 3.07. There was no significant difference between the total score of critical thinking in both studied levels, namely first yea r students 11.8± 2.18 and fourth -year students12.33 ± 2.87 (p = 0.347). The results showed that the highest percentage of students had unstable critical thinking(86.8%).73.7 percent of them had moderate self- esteem. Self-esteem in the fourth year students was significantly higher than the first year students (p <0.05) and there was a significant Relationship between critical thinking and self- esteem (p <0.05). Results showed that students with higher self-esteem have more favorable critical thinking and a Positive and direst relationship was found between these two features. Since this kind Of honking g plays an important role incorrect clinical decision making, it is needed that university Professors academics to plan self-esteem enhancement methods to promote critical thinking, Because sufficient self-esteem is essential for capable critical thinking growth.