Exploration of Anger Expression Patterns of Female Nursing Students using Q Methodology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify subjective perception types on anger expression among female nursing students and to investigate characteristics according to the subjective perception types. In order to achieve this purpose, the study used Q-methodology. There were 30 study participants and they completed the Q-sort activity, rating each statement relative to the others using 32 Q statements. The data were analyzed using the QUANL PC program. There were three types of forms extracted from anger expressions among female nursing students; a type on 'embracive soothing', a type on 'reasonable expression', and a type on 'ambivalence over emotional expression'. The commonality of the three types were: talking about their anger emotions with others, asking for help in religion and pushing their opponent. Therefore, Adequate strategies based on anger expression types need to be developed to resolve anger among female nursing students.

Comparing anger, anger expression, life stress and social support between Korean female nursing and general university students

“…In this study, nursing students’ anger‐in levels were significantly higher than those of general students. This finding supports Han, Won, Kim, and Lee (), who found that over half of nurses suppress anger and Lee and Park (), who found that nursing students often suppress and manage anger alone rather than actively resolving it.…”

Validity and Reliability of Metacognitive Rating Scale for Nursing Students

“…The latter item showed a weak association at .05, which possibly resulted from the high rate of female participation (83%). Previous researchers [23] found that receptive mitigation (43%) was the most frequent anger expression pattern among female nursing students, who quietly internalized their anger rather than expressing it outwardly through words or actions and turned their anger expression into positive thoughts [9]. NC is associated with expressing aggressive impulses as anger and the weak association with NC of the item "I can express anger in words that are not aggressive" likely arose because female nursing students are characterized by a refusal to express aggressive impulses outwardly.…”

Effects of an Extracurricular Anger Self-Control Program for Nursing Students

“…Anger is especially a common emotional problem experienced in response to stress among nursing students [ 2 ]. A previous study found that nursing students have a higher level of anger than students of other majors, and that they often suppress their anger and address it independently, as opposed to actively controlling and resolving it [ 9 ]. Anger and inappropriate anger control in nursing students may negatively influence the quality of care that they provide [ 2 , 10 ].…”