Effects of Nurses’ Irrational Beliefs and Social Anxiety on Assertiveness: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Correlational Study
10.12934/jkpmhn.2026.35.1.21
- Author:
Sora CHOI
1
;
Heeseung CHOI
Author Information
1. Graduate Student, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
2026;35(1):21-28
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing nurses' assertiveness through the lens of cognitive behavioral theory.
Methods:Convenience sampling was employed to recruit nurses from a tertiary care university hospital in Seoul, South Korea, for this cross-sectional descriptive correlational study. Data were gathered using a self-administered online questionnaire distributed via the hospital's internal online portal (open bulletin board), resulting in a final sample of 118 nurses (92.4% female, mean age=28.7 years). Data analysis was conducted using R version 4.3.1.
Results:Assertiveness was found to be negatively correlated with both irrational beliefs (r=-.57) and social anxiety (r=-.56), while a positive correlation existed between irrational beliefs and social anxiety (r=.67). Multiple regression analysis revealed that irrational beliefs (β=-.36) and social anxiety (β=-.32) were significant predictors of assertiveness, collectively accounting for 38% of the variance after adjusting for demographic variables.
Conclusion:This study illustrated that cognitive behavioral theory effectively elucidates the factors influencing nurses' assertiveness. Given that social anxiety emerged as a strong predictor, assertiveness training should address both cognitive and emotional aspects.
