Exploring the Relationship Between Communication Skills and Conflict Management Styles Used by Nursing Staff

Background

  • Conflict management is crucial for nursing staff in both learning and clinical settings.
  • Effective communication skills are essential for nurses to reduce communication barriers and conflicts.

Methodology

  • A descriptive study was conducted in two teaching hospitals in Babylon city (Marjan and Imam al-Sadiq) to assess the relationship between communication skills and conflict management styles among nursing staff.
  • Data were collected from November 6, 2022, to February 26, 2023, using a systemic random sample of 300 nurses.
  • The questionnaire was divided into three parts:
    • Part 1: Demographic characteristics (age, education level, gender, years of experience, working shift).
    • Part 2: Communication skills assessment (40 items).
    • Part 3: Conflict management styles assessment (28 items, using the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory).
  • Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24, including descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, percentage) and inferential statistics (ANOVA).
  • The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
  • Content validity was assessed by a panel of 12 experts, and reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha.
    • Communication skills scale: Cronbach’s alpha = 0.750.
    • Conflict resolution method scale: Cronbach’s alpha = 0.832.

Ethical Considerations

  • The study received approval from the ethics committee of the College of Nursing/University of Karbala.
  • Participants' confidentiality and anonymity were ensured.
  • Voluntary agreement was obtained after explaining the study's objectives.

Results

  • The mean age of participants was 29.64 ewline \pm 6.86 years.
    • 59.3% were in the 20-29 age group.
  • 53.7% of the participants were female.
  • 47.3% held a bachelor’s degree.
  • The mean years of experience was 7.14 ewline \pm 6.44 years.
    • 51.3% had 1-5 years of experience.
  • 62.0% worked in the morning shift.
  • Most participants had satisfactory interpersonal communication skills (78.7%).
  • The collaborating style had the highest mean (28.99), while the compromising style had the lowest mean (16.37).
    • Accommodating style mean: 22.39.
    • Competing style mean: 18.63.
    • Avoiding style mean: 24.29.
  • Statistically significant differences were found between:
    • Sending Clear Messages and Collaborating style (p < 0.01).
    • Sending Clear Messages and Accommodating style (p < 0.01).
    • Listening and Accommodating style (p < 0.05).
    • Listening and Competing style (p < 0.05).
    • Giving and Getting Feedback and Accommodating style (p < 0.01).
    • Giving and Getting Feedback and Competing style (p < 0.05).
    • Handling Emotional Interactions and Collaborating style (p < 0.01).
    • Handling Emotional Interactions and Accommodating style (p < 0.01).
    • Handling Emotional Interactions and Avoiding style (p < 0.05).
  • No statistically significant difference was found between conflict management styles and age group or gender.
  • No statistically significant difference was found between conflict management styles and educational qualification.
  • A statistically highly significant difference was found between Collaborating style and Years of experience (p < 0.01).
  • A statistically significant difference was found between Accommodating style and Work Shift (p < 0.05).

Discussion

  • The study's age distribution is consistent with findings from Masarrah Aqeel Hadi (2022).
  • The gender and education level distribution aligns with Eman S. Mostafa et al. (2020).
  • The experience level of nursing staff is similar to findings by Sara A. Mostafa et al. (2019).
  • The preference for the collaborating style supports the results of Zaid Al Hamdan et al. (2014).
  • The satisfactory interpersonal communication skills contrast with Eman S. Mostafa et al. (2020), who found unsatisfactory communication skills.
  • Poor communication skills can lead to workplace conflicts, as noted by Zhanna Zhalimbetova (2019).
  • The lack of a statistically significant relationship between age and conflict management style agrees with Zaid Al Hamdan et al. (2014).
  • The absence of a significant relationship between educational qualification and conflict management styles aligns with Dolores J. Palacio (2022).
  • The prevalence of morning shift workers is consistent with Roohangiz Norouzinia et al. (2015).

Conclusion

  • Most participants were young (20-29 years old), female, with a bachelor’s degree and 1-5 years of experience.
  • The collaborating style was the most used, while the compromising style was the least used.
  • Significant associations were found between conflict management style and years of experience, and work shift.
  • Most participants had satisfactory interpersonal communication skills.
  • There was a significant relationship between communication skills and conflict management style.

Recommendations

  • Implement continuous educational sessions and programs to enhance nurses' communication skills and conflict management abilities.
  • Develop educational programs focused on conflict management styles.
  • Reassess and follow-up with nurses after educational sessions to monitor and promote their skills.