Relationship between assertiveness and burnout among nurse managers.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to clarify the relationship between assertiveness and burnout among nurse managers at university hospitals.


METHODS
The directors at three university hospitals agreed to cooperate with our study. During a one-month period from May to June 2007, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 203 nurse managers (head and sub-head nurses). The Japanese version of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (J-RAS) and the Japanese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) were used as scales. Burnout was operationally defined as a total MBI score in the highest tertile.


RESULTS
Valid responses were obtained from 172 nurse managers. The mean J-RAS score of the burnout group (-14.3) was significantly lower than that of the non-burnout group (-3.3). Responses about work experience and age showed no significant group difference. Total MBI score was inversely correlated with J-RAS score (R = -0.30, P < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated a decrease in the risk of burnout by 26% (0.74 times) for every 10 point increase in the J-RAS score, and by 60% (0.40 times) for greater satisfaction with own care provision.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that increasing assertiveness and satisfaction with own care provision contributes to preventing burnout among Japanese nurse managers.
Suzuki
Eiko
E
Nagano College of Nursing, Komagane, Nagano, Japan. chihiroeiko@hotmail.com
Saito
Miyuki
M
Tagaya
Akira
A
Mihara
Rieko
R
Maruyama
Akiko
A
Azuma
Tomomi
T
Sato
Chifumi
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001242:Assertiveness; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007564:Japan; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010563:Personnel Turnover; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires