Assertiveness and caring: are they compatible?
BACKGROUND
Findings from numerous assertion studies suggest that nurses are generally non-assertive. This study examines the role of caring as an important determinant of adaptive assertive behaviour.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the investigation was to explore the relationship between assertion and caring skills. Two study objectives sought to determine whether both positive and negative assertive behaviours were related to caring skills.


METHODS
Correlational and cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The Caring Assessment Instrument (Care Q - Questionnaire Version) and the assertion inventory were used to collect self-report data from a convenience sample of 94 subjects. Behavioural data were obtained by directly sampling 50 nurses' responses within role-play situations.


RESULTS
One significant result between the various assertion measurements and caring skill scores was noted, highlighting a relationship between negative assertion and the caring 'accessible' subscale.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall the findings of the study suggest that positive and negative assertive behaviours are not related to caring skills.


CONCLUSIONS
The current findings suggest that the presence of caring attributes cannot be offered as a possible reason for non-assertion in nurses.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. p.mccartan@qub.ac.uk
Patrick J
PJ
McCartan
Owen D W
OD
Hargie
D001242:Assertiveness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009660:Northern Ireland; D009729:Nursing; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology