The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the level of self-determination needs (perceived autonomy, perceived competence, perceived communication) in nurses

Studies have shown that the level of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence and communication) in nurses is low in proportion to their job position and this issue needs further investigation. Studies have also shown that communication, training and counseling can improve the level of self-determination needs, competence and autonomy in nurses. The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on the level of self-determination needs (perceived autonomy, perceived competence, perceived communication) in nurses.

In this quasi-experimental study, 40 nurses working in Milad Hospital in Tehran in 1400 were randomly selected and randomly divided into two groups of 20 people. The experimental group underwent cognitive-behavioral therapy in eleven sessions of 1.5 hours and the control group did not receive any treatment. To collect data, the self-determination needs scale of Soribo et al. (2009) was used in the pre-test and post-test stages for both experimental and control groups. Research data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance. Data analysis was performed using software (SPSS 21).

Statistical findings showed that the effect of group (level of independent variable) on self-determination needs (perceived autonomy, perceived competence, perceived relationship) was statistically significant (P = 0.05). Findings also showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy had a positive and significant effect on the level of nurses' self-determination needs compared to the control group.

The results showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in increasing the level of nurses' self-determination needs. Therefore, if nurses with low levels of self-determination, communication, autonomy and competence can be identified and can be helped to increase the desired level of self-determination using cognitive-behavioral therapy.