Verification of reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule

To verify the reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule in novice nurses to contribute to nursing management.

An adequate scale is needed to measure the assertiveness and the effect of assertion training for Japanese nurses and to compare them with those in other countries.

Rathus Assertiveness Schedule was adapted to Japanese with back-translation and its validity was examined in 989 novice nurses.

The Japanese version showed a high coefficient of reliability in a split-half reliability test (r=0.76; P<0.01). The coefficient of reliability of Cronbach's alpha was high (r=0.84; P<0.01) indicating high internal consistency. The similarity with the concept of stress coping was shown. We extracted eight principal factors using factor analysis with varimax rotation. Elements of these factors were similar to those of the original Rathus Assertiveness Schedule.

The Japanese version of Rathus Assertiveness Schedule was verified.