SEX-TYPING AND ELEMENTS OF LEADERSHIP AMONG NURSES (CHANGE-AGENT, DISSATISFACTION, WOMEN)

Although research shows that nurses are dissatisfied with conditions in work environments, they generally do not initiate behaviors that could produce change. Reasons for this lack of initiating or leadership behaviors among nurses are unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the phenomenon of sex-typing among nurses and to investigate the relationship between sex-typing and some elements of leadership behavior. Specifically, the following research question and two hypotheses directed the study. Research Question I. What is the nature of the distribution among female nurses who practice in five general hospitals in Massachusetts of the four sex-type groups as determined by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory? Null Hypothesis I. There are no significant differences among the four sex-type groups of female nurses practicing in five hospitals in Massachusetts and their identification of problems in the work setting that hinder their effectiveness in providing optimal services to clients. Null Hypothesis II. There are no significant differences among the four sex-type groups of female nurses practicing in five hospitals in eastern Massachusetts and their perception that staff nurses should initiate action necessary to solve the problems identified that hinder their effectiveness in providing optimal services to clients. Data collection included a mailed survey and personal interviews using the Bem Sex-Role Inventory, (BSRI) and the Practice Environment Inventory (PEI). The BSRI identified sex-type and the PEI identified perceptions about problems in work environments and problem solving initiators. Chi square tests were computed to compare the distribution of sex-type of the sample to others and Analysis of Variance Procedures were used to test the relationship between sex-type and (1) numbers of problems identified in work settings, (2) number of times staff nurse was named as the appropriate person to initiate action. The results showed no significant differences between the sample\u27s distribution of sex-type and two others to which it was compared. Further, no significant relationships were found between sex-type and numbers of problems or choice of problem solving initiator. Data also showed that nurses recognize the need for change and think that nurses should respond