The relation between pediatric nurses' sociotropy-autonomy personality features and their depression levels

Objective: This descriptive study was aimed to determine the relation between pediatric nurses' sociotropic-autonomic personality features and depression levels. Methods: The study sample was consisted of 182 pediatric nurses who agreed to participate in the study between January 31, 2010, and April 1, 2010. We used Nurse Identifier Information Form, Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale and Beck Depression Scale for data collection. Numerical values, percentages, mean (+/- SD) and Pearson Correlation Analysis were used for data analysis. Results: In the study, nurses' mean sociotropy scale scores were determined as 61.1 +/- 21.9 points, while the autonomy scale scores were 69.0 +/- 19.0 points. Mean depression scale score was found to be 8.4 +/- 7.4 points. There was a correlation between depression scale and disapproval anxiety, separation anxiety, please others, freedom subscales and autonomy scale points (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pediatric nurses were at a moderate level of sociotropic-autonomic personality features, and were determined to be associated with depression levels. Training and information sessions aiming at development of sociotropic-autonomic personality features of pediatric nurses can be organized.