Saeed Ghorbani, Sajedeh Farhangnia, Farnaz Zanganeh, Saharnaz Noohpisheh, Masoud Shakki,
Volume 18, Issue 2 (7-2021)
Abstract
Background: Due to advances in medicine and technology in recent years, the number of elderly has increased substantially in most countries. As a result, addressing factors influencing the elderly population to improve their physical, psychological, and cognitive status is of great importance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived social support and physical activity with the mood, physical fitness, and cognitive status of elderly people.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2019 in Golestan province, Northeast of Iran. The sample consisted of 142 people over 60 years old (including 131 women and 11 men) who were selected using a random sampling method from Gorgan, Gonbad Kavous, Aliabad Katoul, and Azadshahr cities of Golestan province in 2019. Data was gathered using Perceived Social Support Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Wechsler Memory Scale, Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Rikli and Jones’ physical fitness test for the elderly. Data were analyzed in SPSS-22 and Spearman correlation coefficient used to study the cooperation between variables.
Results: The finding showed that the mean age of participants was 66.56 years old and perceived social support had significant correlation with depression (r=-0.48, P<0.001) and memory (r=0.24, P=0.003). There was a significant correlation between physical activity and physical fitness (r=0.18, P=0.049), but no significant correlation were observed between physical activity with depression and memory. In addition, physical fitness had significant correlation with depression (r=0.27, P=0.001) and memory (r=0.27, P=0.001).
Conclusion: Perceived social support and physical activity can be considered important factors for improving the mood-cognitive-physical status of the elderly. Therefore, gerontologists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists can improve the mood-cognitive-physical status of the elderly by improving social relationships and physical activity.
Alireza Heidari, Sakine Beygom Kazemi, Mohammad Javad Kabir, Zahra Khatirnamani, Mansoureh Lotfi, Narges Rafiei, Mahla Tajari, Sakine Jafar, Farah Zanganeh,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Background: Head nurses, as operational managers of hospitals, require robust communication skills, comprehensive leadership knowledge, and proficient conflict management strategies. By utilizing appropriate management techniques based on these skills, head nurses can actively contribute to enhancing efficiency, improving performance, and delivering high-quality services within the hospital setting. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between communication skills, conflict management, and leadership style among head nurses.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021, involving 166 head nurses employed across 16 hospitals affiliated with Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The sampling method employed was a census approach, encompassing the entire population of interest. After obtaining ethical approval, data were collected using established instruments, including Robbins' Evaluation of the Conflict Resolution Questionnaire, Queendom's Interpersonal Communication Skills Test, and Bass and Avolio's leadership style Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation tests were utilized to analyze the collected data. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The findings revealed that the total score of communication skills, particularly the dimensions of emotional control and listening skills, exhibited a significant positive association with the overall score of conflict management and its three distinct strategies. Moreover, a significant positive relationship was observed between the ability to receive and send messages and the contingent leadership style (P-value = 0.043). Conversely, the orientation strategy demonstrated a negative impact on leadership quality, as it was found to diminish leadership quality across all dimensions for head nurses. Furthermore, the control strategy exhibited a significant negative correlation with the charismatic leadership style (P-value = 0.037). Lastly, the overall score of conflict management displayed a significant negative association with the charismatic leadership style (P-value = 0.031).
Conclusion: The assessment of head nurses' communication skills indicated an average proficiency level. The prevailing leadership style adopted by supervisors was charismatic, while the predominant conflict management strategy employed was non-confrontation. It is recommended that effective plans aimed at improving communication skills, fostering effective leadership, and enhancing conflict management be implemented within hospital departments to enhance the current situation. This can be achieved through organizing impactful training workshops and utilizing supportive and motivational mechanisms.
