Understanding facilitators for assertiveness among college students in India – a qualitative study

Bibliographic Data

ID21623923
AuthorsArush Goel (0009-0008-9183-1577, Manipal Academy of Higher Education), Sebastian Padickaparambil (0000-0001-6965-0579, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, corresponding author), Edavana Santhosh Sreelakshmi (Manipal Academy of Higher Education), Dan Isaac Pothiyil (0000-0002-8937-8696, Manipal Academy of Higher Education)
Year2024
Volume43
Issue21
Pages19423-19432
Publication date2024-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCurrent Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s12144-024-05763-6
OpenAlexW4392132299
LanguageEN
References cited19

Assertiveness is the ability to be honest with one’s beliefs and interests while not denying the rights of others and includes behaviours like sharing one’s opinions, questioning ideas, being able to refuse request of others and firmly expressing one’s emotions without manipulation. Majority of Indians fall behind in being assertive due to various cultural factors and schemas they hold towards self and others. Since assertiveness impacts both the professional and social aspects of young adults, it is important to cultivate this behavior to take on the challenges faced. This study aimed to understand the factors which led to the development of assertive behaviour in college students despite the obstacles possessed. A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 college students from different parts of India who scored high on the Rathus Assertiveness Scale. The major themes which emerged were - facilitators for assertiveness, benefits of being assertive, obstacles to assertiveness, ways of performing assertive behaviour, and sex-based differences in assertiveness in the responses received and manner of being assertive. These findings can be implemented in assertiveness and communication skills training

Assertiveness · Developmental psychology · Qualitative research · Sociology · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Communication in Education and Healthcare · Emotional Intelligence and Performance · Psychology · Social Psychology

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