Abstract
Introduction
Understanding differences in caring behaviors by sex is crucial in light of the need to encourage men to join the nursing profession.
Aims
To study the association between sex‐types and caring behaviors in female and male nurses in the mental health field.
Methods
Cross‐sectional study including a convenience sample of 114 nurses in three mental health centers in Israel. Data were self‐reported in a structured form including validated scales for the assessment of sex‐types and caring behaviors. ANOVA and linear regression tests were used were performed with SPSS version 21. All the analyses were 2‐tailed and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Androgynous female and male nurses displayed higher levels of caring than other sex‐types. Higher levels of caring were observed in female compared with male nurses overall (p=0.011) and in behaviors showing respect (p=0.020) and attentiveness to patients’ needs and safety (p=0.002).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that different sex‐typed female and male nurses in the mental health field display different levels of caring behaviors.
Implications for Practice
Our findings can help head nurses and policy makers in recruitment and allocation of nurses in mental health settings, as well as in developing educational programs for employees and nursing students.