Relation Between The Trait Anger and Anger Expression Styles of The Nurses Working in Intensive Care and Palliative Care Units

Aim: The study was conducted in order to determine the relation between the trait anger and anger expression styles and the care behaviour of the nurses working in intensive care and palliative care units.

Method: 64 nurses working in 2nd and 3nd level intensive care and palliative care units of a research and training hospital was formed the sample of the definitive study. “Trait Anger – Anger Expression Style Scales”, “Caring Behaviors Inventory-24” and “Personal Identification For” were used as data collection tools. The analysis of the data was made by using the SPSS 15.0 package software with number, percentage, average, standard deviation, correlation analyses, Kruskal Walli analyses, Mann Whitney U test, t test.

Results: The nurses’ continuous anger scores were found 20.32±4.98; their represse danger scores were found 16.67±3.44 and their showe danger scores were found 15.19±3.98. Their controlle danger scores were found 21.66±4.19 and their care behaviour scores were found 5.09±0.63. No meaningful relation was determined between their continuous anger, represse danger and showe danger scores and their care behaviours (p≥0.05). A meaningful relation in the positive direction was found between the controlle danger score and the trust dimension, knowledge and skill dimension, respect dimension and loyalty dimension of the care behaviour and the care behaviour total scores (p≥0.05).

Conclusion: The nurses’ anger control and expression ways in intensive care and palliative care units aff ect their nursing care behaviour. Because of this reason, it is thought that forming programs for developing the anger control skills of the nurses in intensive care and palliative care units will aff ect the nursing care positively.