Abstract
Background and aims: Nurses experience different psychological problems due to their occupational conditions. Therefore, they need problem solving (PS) skill to manage their problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of personality traits and stress with PS skill among nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in 2019–2020. Participants were 425 nurses randomly selected from hospitals of Kerman, Iran. Data were collected using the NEO Personality Inventory, Nursing Stress Scale, and Problem-Solving Inventory. The SPSS software (v. 22.0) was used to analyze the data via the coefficient’s correlation and the linear regression analyses. Results: Neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness personality traits and stress significantly predicted 27%, 19%, 30%, 25%, 25%, and 37% of the total variance of PS skill, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: Reducing nurses’ workload and occupational problems, providing them with education about stress management and PS, and strengthening their positive personality traits are recommended to improve their PS skill and professional practice.
Highlights
Quality healthcare delivery largely depends on the availability of knowledgeable and skillful nurses whose main priority and concern are care quality improvement [1]
The results of correlation analysis revealed that personality traits had significant correlations with each other and with stress and problem solving (PS) skill
This study concludes that five personality traits and stress significantly predict PS skill among nurses
Summary
Quality healthcare delivery largely depends on the availability of knowledgeable and skillful nurses whose main priority and concern are care quality improvement [1]. Nurses need PS skill to make appropriate judgments and decisions and select the best solutions for managing patients’ problems in new situations [2]. During PS, individuals define a problem, provide different solutions to it, select the best solution, and use it to solve the problem [5]. PS provides individuals with the opportunity to use their cognitive skills for coping with challenging situations and use their learned skills in new situations [5] It improves individuals’ self-confidence, self-efficacy, and environmental adaption. Nurses experience different psychological problems due to their occupational conditions They need problem solving (PS) skill to manage their problems. Conclusion: Reducing nurses’ workload and occupational problems, providing them with education about stress management and PS, and strengthening their positive personality traits are recommended to improve their PS skill and professional practice.
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