Investigating dark personality traits and tolerance for ambiguity along with the mediating role of resilience to stress among female managers working in public hospitals in Tehran
Subject Areas : Public administrationAkbar Kazemi 1 , Hojatollah Moradi 2 * , Ahmad Baseri 3
1 - PhD student, Department of Management, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, Imam Hossein University (AS), Iran. 3. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, Imam Hossein University (AS), Iran.
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, Imam Hossein University (AS), Iran.
Keywords: Dark personality traits, tolerance of ambiguity, resilience to stress,
Abstract :
Extended Abstract
Examination of Dark Personality Traits and Ambiguity Tolerance with the Mediating Role of Resilience to Stress among
Female Managers Working in Public Hospitals in Tehran
Akbar Kazemi Joybari
PhD Student, Organizational Behavior Management Group, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Hojatollah Moradi
Associate Professor, Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Basiri
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran.
Received: 2025 January 17| Revised: 2025 February 21| Accepted: 2025 February
Introduction
Death anxiety is one of the significant psychological challenges in high-stress professions, particularly for nurses and female managers in public hospitals. This anxiety, stemming from continuous exposure to death and severe illnesses, can negatively impact individuals' quality of life and job performance.
Therefore, examining factors related to death anxiety, including dark personality traits and ambiguity tolerance, seems essential. Research has shown that personality traits such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy can contribute to increased death anxiety. Additionally, individuals with a lower tolerance for ambiguity are more susceptible to anxiety due to their inability to predict outcomes.
This issue becomes particularly critical in challenging work environments like intensive care units. Given the negative effects of death anxiety on the mental health and job performance of nurses, identifying risk factors and developing intervention strategies is of paramount importance. As a positive psychological construct, resilience can help individuals respond more flexibly in stressful situations
. This study aims to investigate dark personality traits and ambiguity tolerance, along with the mediating role of resilience against stress, among female managers working in public hospitals in Tehran. The findings of this research could contribute to a more precise identification of factors influencing death anxiety and the development of intervention models to enhance resilience and reduce this anxiety. Ultimately, this research may lead to improved quality of healthcare services and the enhancement of the mental health of healthcare staff.
Case Study
This research, as a case study, examines death anxiety among female nurses working in the intensive care units of public hospitals in Tehran. Given the psychological challenges arising from continuous exposure to death and severe illnesses, this study aims to identify the factors influencing death anxiety, including dark personality traits and ambiguity tolerance, as well as the mediating role of resilience in this context. The statistical population of this study includes 10,203 female nurses in the year 2023, from which a representative sample is selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Data is collected through validated questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software.
Theoretical Framework
The conceptual framework of this research is based on dark personality traits, ambiguity tolerance, and resilience among female managers working in public hospitals in Tehran. Dark personality traits, including Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism, can have significant impacts on the managerial behaviors and social interactions of these managers. These traits may lead to challenges in decision-making and leadership, affecting the quality of services provided in hospitals (Iftikhar & Iftikhar, 2024). On the other hand, ambiguity tolerance, as an important trait in complex work environments, helps managers cope better with uncertainties and daily challenges. In hospitals, where conditions change rapidly, the ability to tolerate ambiguity can contribute to improved performance and reduced stress Zafar & Qurat-ul-ain, 2024).
The role of resilience as a protective factor against stress is also highlighted in this framework. Resilience refers to an individual's ability to cope with pressures and challenges, and it can assist female managers with dark personality traits and high ambiguity tolerance in reducing work-related stress and effectively overcoming managerial challenges. Therefore, paying attention to these factors and their interconnections can enhance the quality of leadership and management in public hospitals in Tehran, paving the way for healthier and more efficient work environments (Nuzulia et al., 2024؛ Craib et al., 2024).
Methodology
This research is applied in nature, aiming to address issues related to death anxiety among female nurses in intensive care units. The data collection method is survey-based and field-oriented, utilizing questionnaires to gather primary data. This study is quantitative and correlational, examining the relationships among the research variables. The statistical population consists of 10,203 female nurses working in public hospitals' intensive care units in Tehran in 2023. To determine the sample size, the SPSS Sample Power software was used, and a multi-stage cluster sampling method was employed. The data collection tools include the Death Anxiety Scale Templer (1970), the Dark Personality Traits Questionnaire by Jonason & Webster (2010), the Ambiguity Tolerance Questionnaire by Wden et al (2003), and the Resilience Scale by Connor & Davidson (2003). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS and AMOS software. In this study, informed consent from participants was obtained in writing.
Discussion and Results
This research delves into the complex issue of death anxiety among female nurses working in intensive care units (ICUs), a group that frequently encounters mortality and critical health situations. The findings reveal a significant correlation between dark personality traits—such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—and heightened levels of death anxiety. These traits may predispose individuals to a more intense fear of death, potentially affecting their mental health and job performance in high-stress environments like ICUs.
On the other hand, ambiguity tolerance emerges as a crucial protective factor. Nurses who possess a higher tolerance for ambiguity are better equipped to handle the uncertainties and unpredictability inherent in their work, which in turn fosters greater resilience against anxiety related to death. This resilience not only helps them cope with their fears but also enhances their ability to provide compassionate care to patients and families facing end-of-life issues. Moreover, resilience is identified as a mediating factor that can mitigate the adverse effects of dark personality traits and low ambiguity tolerance. By promoting resilience, healthcare organizations can potentially reduce the negative impact of these personality traits on nurses' mental health, leading to a healthier work environment. Statistical analyses conducted in the study confirm that the data distribution is normal, allowing for reliable interpretations of the relationships among the variables.
The significant relationships identified between dark personality traits, ambiguity tolerance, death anxiety, and resilience underscore the importance of addressing psychological factors in nursing practice. The results of one-sample t-tests further indicate that the mean scores for dark personality traits and death anxiety among the nurses surveyed are above average, suggesting that these issues are prevalent in this population. This finding highlights the urgent need for interventions aimed at improving mental health support for nurses. Ultimately, the research underscores the critical role of resilience in alleviating death anxiety. By fostering resilience through training and support programs, healthcare institutions can enhance the psychological well-being of female nurses in ICUs. This, in turn, may lead to improved patient care and a more supportive work environment, benefiting both nurses and the patients they serve.
Conclusion
The results of this research indicate that death anxiety among female nurses in intensive care units is significantly influenced by dark personality traits, while ambiguity tolerance acts as a protective factor that helps enhance resilience.
Resilience not only moderates the negative effects of dark personality traits and low ambiguity tolerance but also plays a crucial role in reducing death anxiety. Given the normal distribution of the data and the significant relationships among the variables, this study emphasizes that improving the psychological and working conditions of nurses through the enhancement of resilience and the provision of psychological support can lead to a reduction in death anxiety and an improvement in the quality of patient care in intensive care units.
Contribution of authors
All authors have participated in this research in equal proportion.
Ethical approval
This research was conducted by ethical principles. All participants in the study voluntarily provided their consent to participate with full awareness of the research objectives.
Conflict of interest
No conflicts of interest are declared by the authors.
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