SELF-EFFICACY, RELIGIOUS MATURITY AND GENDER AS PREDICTORS OF ALTRUISTIC BEHAVIOUR AMONG NURSES IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between self-efficacy, religious maturity, and gender as predictors of altruistic behaviour among nurses. A total of 250 nurses from two hospitals in Owerri, Nigeria, participated in the study. The sample consisted of 150 nurses from
the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri and 100 from the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, selected through purposive and convenient sampling techniques. Participants' ages ranged from 20 to 59 years, with a mean age of 39.5 years. Data were collected using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), the Religious Maturity Scale (de Vries-Schot, Pieper & Van Uden, 2012), and the Altruistic Personality Scale (Rushton & Chrisjohn, 1981). The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis. Results indicated that while self-efficacy and gender did not significantly predict altruistic behaviour, religious maturity was a significant predictor (β = .18, t = 2.90, p < .004). The study concluded that nurses with higher religious maturity were more likely to exhibit altruistic behaviours. This finding implied that fostering religious maturity in nurses could enhance their altruistic behaviours, leading to better patient care. Therefore, it was recommended that medical administrative procedures and rules/regulations be reviewed to encourage altruism among nurses. Additionally, efforts should be made to promote gender diversity in the nursing profession through seminars and workshops to attract more male nurses, thereby bringing diverse perspectives and approaches to patient care. These recommendations aimed to foster an environment that supports altruistic behaviour, benefiting both nurses and patients.