Emotional intelligence: development of a tool, and testing its relation to leadership

Emotional intelligence is the essence of leadership. Without it, a person can have the best training and possess the best intellectual competencies, but he/she still would not make a great leader. To develop and validate a tool for assessment of emotional intelligence, and to test its relation to leadership in a sample of head nurses. This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted at Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital, on 50 head nurses with bachelor degree in nursing. The researchers utilized two types of questionnaires: an emotional intelligence scale, and a leadership style questionnaire. The emotional intelligence scale was constructed by the researchers, and reviewed by experts. Then, factor analysis was used to assess its construct validity. Reliability was tested by internal consistency method using Crombach alpha coefficient. Factor analysis showed that the questionnaire items were loading on five components, which explained 50.33% of the variance. Crombach alpha coefficient for the tool was 0.87. In multivariate analysis, emotional intelligence score was a negative independent predictor of the score of hisser-faire and transactional leadership styles. Conversely, it was a positive predictor of the transformational leadership style. Along with gender, it explains about half of the variation in the score of transformational leadership style. The only statistically significant independent predictor for emotional intelligence score was the attendance of training courses. A valid and reliable emotional intelligence tool was developed and validated. The most important factor influencing emotional skills is training. It is recommended to use the developed tool in further research to test its applicability. Training courses to improve nurses' emotional intelligence are suggested

Head nurse's managerial role training needs assessment: Tool development, validation and reliability testing

A crucial step in the success of any educational program is the correct identification of learners needs. The present study aimed at developing and validating a tool that identifies and diagnoses training needs deficit as related head nurse's managerial role component. Reliability testing of the tool was also among the aims of the study. The study was conducted at the inpatient units affiliated to EL-Demerdash Hospital. The study subjects were two groups: a] head nurses group and b] jury group. Head nurses group were thirty eight head nurses drawn from the aforementioned setting, b] jury group representing different disciplines: university educators; medical staff; and nurses, leaders. Their number was 30 members. Tools of data collection: the tools used in this study were the proposed training needs assessment tool and an opinionaire format aiming at soliciting jury opinions regarding face and content validity of the developed tool. Pilot study was performed; the study tools were administered to both groups of subjects [head nurses and the jury group]. Study results revealed validation of the proposed tool. Both face and content validity were ascertained. Reliability of the tool was also achieved. Based on the aforementioned results, researchers recommend the use of this training needs assessment tool to identify head nurses' managerial training needs

Volunteerism, psychological well-beings and health prevention measures: an Awareness campaign layout addressed to university students

Non governmental organizations [NGOs] are playing an important role in community development. Their activities and initiatives are depending mainly on volunteering efforts. The present study aims at developing an awareness campaign layout to promote volunteerism for health prevention and continuity of care among university students. An explorative, descriptive, cross sectional design was adopted in the course of this study. Sample: a] a purposively selected convenient sample of 117 volunteers were the study subjects. B] Jury group [experts] with representation from different NGOs and university staff [30 members]. Volunteering organizations affiliated to mosques, churches, NGOs, political party were the study settings. Three tools were used to achieve the purpose of the study: 1] A self - administered questionnaire format 2] A depression state symptomatology scale format 3] A self administered opinionnaire format and a proposed campaign layout for promoting volunteerism among university students. 1-A-self administered question naire format: reflecting socio-demographic characteristics, of study subjects. 2- A depression state symptomiatology scale format [Radolff, 1977]. It was used for the purpose of investigating the effect of voluntarism on the depressive symptoms, self- expression by the three study groups namely, current volunteers [n = 34], willing to volunteer [n = 31] and never been volunteers attending first orientation sessions [n = 106]. 3- An opinionnaire sheet addressed to jury members to test the validity of the proposed Campaign layout. Technique: approvals were obtained from top level managers in each study setting. Aim of the study was explained. A pilot study was performed. Subjects were guided for the proper use of the study tools. Study subjects age ranged from 20-60 years, 55.7% of them were under 30 years of age with nearly equal representation of males and females, Finding of the present study emphasized the positive impact of volunteering on the psychological well-being of all participants in volunteering activities with greater significance to those who were then in current volunteering status. The study findings also, indicated that the proposed campaign layout is valid to be used to promote volunteerisin among university students. These studies [phase 1 and 11] are reflecting a significant mutual gain for both the volunteers and the community served therefore the proposed campaign layout targeting university students will be of great help in future integration of structured voluntary services. Coordination,collaboration between faculty of nursing and Ain Shams university for the application of the proposed campaign- Initiation of volunteer center affiliated to Aim- Shams university campus and managed by faculty of nursing. Further researches that shed the light on this important issues are needed

Availability of volunteerism in health care services and willingness for supporting families with caregiver's role

This study aimed at exploring the availability of volunteerism in community health-related services in Cairo Governorate. Volunteers' preferred fields/types/approaches of their services as well as their willingness and motivation to render community volunteering services for families enduring caregiver's role were investigated. Factors enhancing/hindering volunteering work as perceived by the study subjects and their suggestions for its promotion in the community were illustrated. A total of 188 volunteers and 97 health care professionals constituted the study sample. A self-administered questionnaire for health care professionals was used which aimed mainly at investigating the availability of volunteering services within the specific health sectors. A self-administered questionnaire for volunteers also was used. It consisted of four parts [socio- demographic data; volunteering previous experience; data related to directing volunteering work toward supporting families with care giver's role and/or working in hospitals; volunteer' opinions and perceived thoughts and suggestions to promote volunteering work in the community]. The results revealed that volunteerism activities in hospital settings were actually provided in different health sectors except private hospitals, but they still in charity, scattered, informal way. Availability and willingness for supporting families enduring caregiver's role with chronically disabled one was expressed by 22.8% of the volunteers. Their main reported motivating factors were willingness out of goodness, sense of duty towards others, followed by effective use of time and sharing as well as alleviating others suffering, respectively