Examining the Relationship between Assertiveness and Self-esteem in Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: Assertiveness and self-esteem are fundamental psychological qualities that determine the communication skills, professional competencies, and the possibility to advocate for patients in nursing students. The knowledge of the degrees of assertiveness and self-esteem and their interaction will enhance nursing education and professional growth.

Objective: To determine the degree of assertiveness and self-esteem among nursing students and to evaluate their relationship with the individual socio-demographic factors and the relationship between assertiveness and self-esteem.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 nursing students in a descriptive study. A semi-structured questionnaire with the variables of the socio-demographic variable, Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage, and inferential statistics such as chi-square tests and Pearson correlation coefficient were employed in the analysis of data.

Results: The mean age of the participant was 19.4 ± 1.9 years. Most of the participants were situationally non-assertive (42.3%), partially assertive (42.0%), and 11.0 percent were assertive. The average self-esteem was 28.8 ± 3.4, with the majority of the students showing moderate self-esteem (66.7%). Age, religion, year of study, and family type were significantly associated with assertiveness (p = 0.004, p < 0.0001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.006, respectively). There was a significant correlation between self-esteem and age (p = 0.003) and year of study (p = 0.014). The correlation was not strong (r = 0.237) but the association was highly significant (r = 0.237, p = 0.0001).

Conclusion: Nursing students had different degrees of assertiveness and largely moderate esteem. There was a weak correlation but significant relationship between assertiveness and self-esteem. The approaches toward the development of professionalism and successful communication with the client are suggested to be educational methods of assertiveness training and self-esteem improvement.