International Journal of Nursing

Emotional Competence and Assertive Behaviors: Study with Family Nurses
Dora Margarida Ribeiro Machado, Assunção das Dores Laranjeira de Almeida, João Paulo de Almeida Tavares

Abstract
Background: Family Nurses should develop emotional and communication skills to ensure the efficacy, safety, and quality of the relationships it establishes. Objectives: To analyze the relationship between emotional competence and assertive behaviors with users and with the multidisciplinary teams of nurses from Family Health Units in the northern region of Portugal. Methodology: Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study, in a sample of 66 nurses. Data collection was carried out using the Emotional Competence Questionnaire and the Assertive Behavior Assessment Scale. Spearman's correlation coefficient test was used in data analysis. Results: nurses showed high levels of emotional competence (205.120.9) and frequently adopted assertive behaviors with the patient and the multidisciplinary teams (4.860.65). Emotional competence and the adoption of assertive behaviors showed a positive correlation (rs=0.339, p<0.01). Conclusion: the results of this study suggest that the ability to deal with emotions promotes the development of assertiveness so that individuals with higher social skills presuppose a higher level of emotional competence.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v9n2a3