Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: This study was performed in order to determine the attitudes of nursing students towards violence against women and occupational role in violence, self-esteem, and affecting factors. METHODS: The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 459 nursing students. Data was collected using a socio demographic information form, the Attitude regarding Violence Scale, the Nurses’ Attitudes regarding Occupational Role in Violence Scale, and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. In statistical evaluation, frequencies, averages, Pearson correlation analyses, and the student t and ANOVA tests were used. RESULTS: According to the attitude regarding violence general score average of the students (38.99±10.77) it was found that the students had an inclination for a modern view far from conservatism and adopted the informative and supportive role of the nurse against women who underwent violence with regard to occupational role (30.41±8.03). Students with higher self-esteem were found to have more modern attitudes towards violence (r=-.23, p lt;0.01) and the role of a nurse (r=-.24, p lt;0.01). Students who were male, lived in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolian regions and in rural areas who had lower economic status were found to have a more conservative attitude towards violence (p lt;0.01).  CONCLUSION: Nursing students have a modern attitude towards violence and their occupational role regarding violence. The genders, years of study, region of residence, and status regarding witnessing violence of the students effect their attitudes regarding violence towards women and their occupational role regarding violence.

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