Examining the relationship between solution-focused thinking skills and self-efficacy levels of nursing students in Turkey

Background: Learning and developing communication skills fundamental to solution-focused thinking increases the confidence of nursing students towards individuals and improves their self-efficacy, thereby enabling these students to plan appropriate care. Purpose: To evaluate solution-focused thinking skills and self-efficacy levels of nursing students and to determine the factors affecting these variables as well as the relationship among them. Method: This was a descriptive and correlational study. The study was conducted between March and June 2019 with 337 nursing students from two universities with different curricula. Data were collected using a “personal information form,” the “solution-focused inventory,” and the “self-efficacy scale.” Results: A statistically significant positive relationship was observed in the total scores on the solution-focused inventory and self-efficacy scale and the mean scores on the completing behavior and dealing with obstacles on the self-efficacy scale. In addition, a moderate relationship (r = 0.447, p < 0.01) was observed between the total solution-focused inventory scores and mean scores of completing behavior on the self-efficacy scale. Conclusions: The nursing students had above-average mean scores on the solution-focused inventory and self-efficacy scales. However the students can further enhance their problem-solving ability by improving their solution-focused skills and self-efficacy.