Assertiveness and Self-Esteem Among Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The study describes the level of assertiveness and self-esteem among nurses and examines the relations between assertiveness and self-esteem. Quantitative descriptive correlational design was used in 100 nurse respondents working in one of the tertiary hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) using demographic components, assertive behavior inventory tool (ABIT), and Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE). Data were analyzed. Results show that respondents are moderately assertive and have moderately high self-esteem. There is a significant relationship between assertiveness and the demographic variables while respondents' demographics did not have significant relationship with the level of self-esteem. The findings also suggested that assertiveness and self-esteem are positively and significantly correlated. Nurses are recommended to have regular assessment of their assertiveness as it affects the self-esteem and assertiveness training or other intervention that would empower and improve other nurses who are less assertive, non-assertive, and have low self-esteem.