The relationship between self‐efficacy, malicious or benign envy in nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AbstractAimTo determine whether nurses' self‐efficacy affected envy levels and to develop the necessary strategies.BackgroundEnvy is a widespread global phenomenon. Envy can harm the individual, the work environment, and nursing care. However, the relationships between self‐efficacy and envy have not been adequately explored in the nursing context.MethodsThis study was conducted as a cross‐sectional descriptive study. The study sample consisted of 361 nurses working in a university hospital in a province of Türkiye. The research model was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The participants were selected using convenience sampling. This study was reported using the STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies.ResultsNurses' educational status affected their self‐efficacy. No other personal characteristics influenced self‐efficacy and envy. There was a positive relationship between malicious and benign envy. As nurses' self‐efficacy increased, malicious envy decreased and benign envy increased.ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that nurses' education level affected self‐efficacy, and self‐efficacy level affected envy, and malicious envy could be reduced by improving nurses' self‐efficacy.Implications for nursing and health policyNursing managers and policymakers should support nursing education at the minimum undergraduate level, encourage nurses to continue their professional education to improve their self‐efficacy, and provide training to increase their self‐efficacy.