Coping Strategies Influencing Role Conflicts among Clinical Nurses

This study was conducted to describe the level of role conflicts and coping strategies as well as the types of coping strategies influencing role conflicts among clinical nurses.

In this descriptive study, we enrolled 98 nurses in two hospitals in Korea. Role conflicts and coping strategies were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression.

The overall mean score reflecting role conflicts was 3.41 ± 0.51. The mean scores for four subcategories of role conflicts (lack of ability, role ambiguity, disturbance of environment, and lack of help) were 3.32 ± 0.61, 3.36 ± 0.55, 3.59 ± 0.65, and 3.41 ± 0.77, respectively. The overall mean score for coping strategies was 3.02 ± 0.38. Among subcategories of coping strategies, the highest mean score was for tension reduction (3.29 ± 0.64), and the lowest mean score was for problem-focused coping (2.73 ± 0.53). Among subcategories of coping strategies, lack of ability was significantly correlated with wishful thinking (r=.219, p<.05), detachment (r=.224, p<.05), and seeking social support (r=.263, p<.01). Role ambiguity was significantly correlated with wishful thinking (r=.236, p<.05), seeking social support (r=.305, p<.01), and tension reduction (r=.294, p<.01). Both disturbance of environment and lack of help were significantly correlated with wishful thinking (r=.306, p<.01; r=.365, p<.01), seeking social support (r=.328, p<.01;r=.316, p<.01), and tension reduction (r=.275, p<.01; r=.247, p<.05). Multiple linear regression showed that role conflicts among nurses were coping strategies for seeking social support (t=2.726, p=.008).

Nurses have been influenced by the help of people around them in reducing role conflicts. Therefore, it is necessary to build support infrastructure inside and outside the hospital.