Increasing self-efficacy: Lateral violence response training for nursing students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect a cognitive behavioral rehearsal intervention had on nursing students’ self-efficacy to respond to lateral violence. This experimental, randomized cluster design study collected longitudinal data from 88 consented nursing students. Study data consisted of responses on the SADBS-R, a 10-item Likert-response scale which assesses self-efficacy specifically to lateral violence. Results determined there was a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy for each item on the SADBS-R. This increase was statistically significant for the intervention group at both data collection intervals (p = .000) when compared to responses from the control group. Grouping, then comparing, the summed responses into quartiles demonstrated a sustained improvement in responses, over time, demonstrating clinical significance. These results indicate that a cognitive behavioral rehearsal intervention can increase nursing students’ self-efficacy to respond to lateral violence prior to entry to the nursing workplace, where it is likely to be encountered.