Investigating Paternalistic Behaviors of Nurses in Caring for Hospitalized Patients in Intensive Care Units in 2023: A Cross-Sectional Study

Paternalistic behaviors of ICU Nurses

Authors

  • Mokhtar Mahmoudi Clinical Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0257-4521
  • Srva Rezaee Clinical Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Yousef Moradi Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Mehrdad Mehrpouya Student research committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Sarina Rashidi Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  • Hossein Feizi Clinical Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3387-4586

Keywords:

Intensive care units, Nurses, Behavioral mechanisms

Abstract

Introduction:Examining paternalistic behaviors of nurses can significantly help in understanding and improving effective communication between nurses and patients. This study aimed to determine the paternalistic behaviors of nurses in caring for patients admitted to intensive care units of teaching hospitals affiliated with Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 196 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) of hospitals in Sanandaj city in 2023. Sampling was done for six months (from January to November) using convenience sampling method. Data was collected using the Paternalistic Behavior Questionnaire after establishing reliability and validity. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests with SPSS V23 software at a 5% error level.

Results: The results showed that the mean total score of nurses' paternalistic behavior was 52.99, indicating a relatively low level of paternalistic behaviors among nurses working in intensive care units towards their patients. The mean scores for paternalistic leadership, ethical leadership, and authoritative leadership were 35.80, 6.45, and 12.56 respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between the number of hospitalization days (P=0.034), gender (P=0.041), and paternalistic leadership.

Conclusion: From the perspective of patients admitted to intensive care units, the performance of ICU nurses had less paternalistic aspects. Given the research results, attention to nurses' paternalistic behavior in caring for patients in intensive care units is strongly recommended.

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Published

2026-03-28

How to Cite

1.
Mahmoudi M, Rezaee S, Moradi Y, Mehrpouya M, Rashidi S, Feizi H. Investigating Paternalistic Behaviors of Nurses in Caring for Hospitalized Patients in Intensive Care Units in 2023: A Cross-Sectional Study: Paternalistic behaviors of ICU Nurses . Chron Dis J. 2026;14(1):17–23.

Issue

Vol 14 , NO 1 (2026)

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Original Article(s)

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