Abstract

Background and Objective: Assertiveness as an affecting factor on mental health is a useful social skill in daily interactions in educational-clinical settings. Regarding this effect on mental health, academic educators’ awareness about inhibiting and facilitating factors of assertive behavior increases students’ achievement. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Adlerian group counseling on assertiveness level of Midwifery students in clinical setting of Bam Nursing and Midwifery faculty, in 2016. Research Method: This clinical trial (ethic code: IR.KMU.REC.1395.346 and IRCT code: IRCT2017061934631N1) was performed among 54 third and fourth grade Midwifery students. Research instrument was Begley and Glackens’s Assertiveness Questionnaire. Firstly, assertiveness level of all eligible students was determined and they were divided into intervention and control groups by applying stratified random sampling. For the intervention group, 6 (2/week) Adlerian group counseling sessions were conducted. Results: Data analysis showed that the difference between the mean of pre-test assertiveness scores was not significant between two groups (p <0.05) but there was a significant difference between the mean of post-test assertiveness scores between two groups (P <0.0001). Conclusion: Independency, decision-making abilities, and respecting patients’ rights are characteristics of assertive obstetricians. Adlerian group counseling led to increase the level of students’ assertiveness. This approach can be suggested to promote Midwifery students’ social skills in the clinical settings. © 2018, Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.