Investigating the psychological resilience, self-confidence and problem-solving skills of midwife candidates

Abstract

Background: The high level of psychological resilience, self-confidence and problem solving skills of midwife candidates play an important role in increasing the quality of health care and in fulfilling their responsibilities towards patients.

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the psychological resilience, self-confidence and problem-solving skills of midwife candidates.

Design: It is a convenience descriptive quantitative study.

Settings: Students who study at Health Sciences Faculty in Turkey's Central Anatolia Region.

Participants: Midwife candidates (N = 270).

Methods: In collection of data, the Personal Information Form, Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults (PRSA), Self-Confidence Scale (SCS), and Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) were used.

Results: There was a negatively moderate-level significant relationship between the Problem Solving Inventory scores and the Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults scores (r = -0.619; p = 0.000), and between Self-Confidence Scale scores (r = -0.524; p = 0.000). There was a positively moderate-level significant relationship between the Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults scores and the Self-Confidence Scale scores (r = 0.583; p = 0.000). There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the Problem Solving Inventory and the Psychological Resilience Scale for Adults scores according to getting support in a difficult situation.

Conclusions: As psychological resilience and self-confidence levels increase, problem-solving skills increase; additionally, as self-confidence increases, psychological resilience increases too. Psychological resilience, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills of midwife candidates in their first-year of studies are higher than those who are in their fourth year. Self-confidence and psychological resilience of midwife candidates aged between 17 and 21, self-confidence and problem solving skills of residents of city centers, psychological resilience of those who perceive their monthly income as sufficient are high. Psychological resilience and problem-solving skills for midwife candidates who receive social support are also high. The fact that levels of self-confidence, problem-solving skills and psychological resilience of fourth-year students are found to be low presents a situation that should be taken into consideration.

Keywords: Midwife candidates; Midwifery students; Problem-solving skills; Resilience; Self-confidence.