The Relationship between Problem Solving Skills and Self Efficacy Proficiency Levels of Midwifery Students

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between self efficacy proficiency levels and problem solving skills of midwifery students. Material and Methods: This analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted with 310 midwifery students during the fall semester of 2018-2019 academic year at Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Midwifery Department. In the collection of data; Demographic Information Form, Problem Solving Inventory and Self Efficacy Scale were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. The data were evaluated by One-way Analysis of Variance (post-hoc Scheffe test) and Pearson's Correlation tests. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.13 ± 2.56. It was determined that the mean score of the students in the problem solving inventory decreased as the grade level students were studying (p=0.029). It was observed that the mean scores of self efficacy proficiency scores of the students were quite close to each other, but this difference was not significant. In the study, a significant negative correlation was found between the students' problem solving skills and self efficacy proficiency (p<0.001). Conclusion: There was a negative correlation between problem solving skills and self efficacy proficiency levels of the students, and there was no difference in self-efficacy proficiency levels. Based on these results, it can be suggested that different studies should be conducted to compare the problem solving skills of the midwifery students and self efficacy competencies in different sample groups, and to add elective courses that will contribute to the development of problem solving skills in the midwifery education curriculum