Self-evaluation of Conflict Management Skills: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Vietnamese Nurses in 2021

Abstract

Background: Effective conflict management requires various skills. However, evidence suggests that nurses are unprepared to deal with conflicts at work. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine nurses' evaluations of their conflict management skills.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 202 nurses who were enrolled in short professional training courses at the Faculty of Nursing, Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy (TUMP). From March to June 2021, they completed self-administered questionnaires which included evaluations of ten common conflict management skills. The four-point rating scale ranged from very bad (0 points) to very good (3 points). Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's rho tests were used for data analysis.

Results: The nurses ranked their ability to identify their and others' emotions and feelings as the highest [mean (SD): 1.99 (0.42)]. Their ability to self-manage conflict-induced stress was rated as the lowest [1.86 (0.56)], with managing own feelings and emotions [1.88 (0.56)], and negotiation [1.90 (0.53)] rated as second and third lowest, respectively. There were no differences in skills between nurses based on gender (Mann-Whitney U = 2814.50, p = 0.720), department (Kruskal-Wallis = 5.89, df = 3, p = 0.117), job position (Mann-Whitney U = 1502.50, p = 0.522), and education (Mann-Whitney U = 3304.00, p = 0.394). Additionally, nurses who demonstrated better skills reported higher effectiveness in previous conflict management (r = 0.45, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Conflict management skills varied and seemed suboptimal. Important areas that require proper attention include emotional intelligence and negotiations.

Keywords: Conflict; health workforce; nurses; psychological; workplace.