The relationship of personality traits and stress with problem solving skill among nurses: A correlational study

Abstract

Background and aims: Nurses experience different psychological problems due to their occupational conditions. Therefore, they need problem solving (PS) skill to manage their problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of personality traits and stress with PS skill among nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in 2019–2020. Participants were 425 nurses randomly selected from hospitals of Kerman, Iran. Data were collected using the NEO Personality Inventory, Nursing Stress Scale, and Problem-Solving Inventory. The SPSS software (v. 22.0) was used to analyze the data via the coefficient’s correlation and the linear regression analyses. Results: Neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness personality traits and stress significantly predicted 27%, 19%, 30%, 25%, 25%, and 37% of the total variance of PS skill, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: Reducing nurses’ workload and occupational problems, providing them with education about stress management and PS, and strengthening their positive personality traits are recommended to improve their PS skill and professional practice.

Keywords

• stress
• nurse
• problem solving
• personality traits