Differences identified in a group of psychiatric nurses through use of the California psychological inventory

The exploratory research study reported in this thesis was planned to determine whether there are statistically significant individual differences which can be identified in a group of psychiatric nurses. It was anticipated that there would be individual differences in a group a psychiatric nurses which would be related to their educational background. The California Psychological Inventory which has discriminated some personality characteristics important for social living and social interaction and has demonstrated a degree of validity and reliability in testing was the instrument selected for use in this study. The subjects were psychiatric nurses employed in psychiatric setting in Utah during April of 1962. All who volunteered and completed the inventory were included in the study. The number of these participants was sixty-eight. In addition to completion of the California Psychological Inventory, some background information was collected to provide a more complete picture of these nurses. Statistical procedures were planned to test in null form, the following hypothesis: There is not difference in mean scores on the California Psychological Inventory between those nurses (Group I), who either are clinical specialists or who are preparing to be clinical specialists in psychiatric nursing, and those nurses (Group II), who are graduates of associated degree, diploma, or baccalaureate programs and are working in psychiatric settings. The statistical procedures used were (1) compilation of means and standard deviations for each group on all the scales of the inventory and (2) the determination of levels of significance in the comparison of means of the two populations. The two-tailed "t" test of independent means was used. At the start of this study it was anticipated that there would be differences within the groups of psychiatric nurses which were related to their educational backgrounds. No attempt was made to define these differences. A comparison of mean scores of Group I and Group II indicated that there were differences on three of the inventory scales; socialization, achievement via independence, and flexibility; which ware significant ant the .01 level. The results of this study are consistent with those reported in the review of literature. The psychiatric nurse group exhibited a concern for other, and were interested in motives and feelings. They were people-oriented. Those in Group 1 appeared to be less conventional, to be more able to tolerate conflict, to be more stable, more interested in men, and more capable of leadership.