The Analysis of Conflict Management Based on Professional Ethics with the Mediating Role of Stress Coping Strategies among Healthcare Staff in Northwest Iran
Keywords:
Conflict management, professional ethics, stress coping strategies, healthcare centers, staffAbstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of professional ethics on conflict management among healthcare staff in northwest Iran considering the mediating role of stress coping strategies and to develop an explanatory model. This applied and quantitative correlational study was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population included all healthcare staff in northwest Iran in 2023. A sample of 380 participants was selected through stratified random sampling based on Cochran’s formula. Data were collected using the Robbins (1991) Conflict Management Questionnaire, the Cadozier (2002) Professional Ethics Questionnaire, and the Endler and Parker (1990) Coping with Stress Inventory. Content validity and Cronbach’s alpha confirmed the instruments’ psychometric properties. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression, path analysis, and SEM with SPSS 25 and AMOS 24 software. The results showed that professional ethics significantly correlated with conflict management and explained 34% of its variance. When stress coping strategies acted as a mediator, the explanatory power increased to 65%. Direct effects of professional ethics on conflict management were nonsignificant, but indirect effects through coping strategies were significant and substantial. Stress coping strategies demonstrated the strongest predictive power for reducing workplace conflict. Strengthening coping strategies alongside fostering professional ethics can effectively reduce conflict and improve organizational climate in medical centers. Practical interventions such as continuous training on stress management and ethical practice are recommended to enhance staff well-being and service quality.
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