Skip to main content
Log in

Validating a “spurning scale” for nurses in Hong Kong

  • Published:
Current Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Based on a model on spumed helpers’ reactions, a spurning scale for nurses was constructed with items to assess the extent to which practicing nurses experience recurrent rejection of their help by patients and colleagues. Three approaches were employed to examine the validity of the scale: the relationship of the spurning scores with job satisfaction and turnover scores; the relationships of the spurning scores with burnout scores; and the relationships of the spurning scores with scores indicative of stress arising from interactions with one's patients, colleagues, and supervisor. Practicing nurses in Hong Kong (N = 212) who were enrolled in a refresher program of studies responded to a questionnaire containing the variables of interest. The results offered promising evidence for the validity of the scale.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cheuk, W. H., & Rosen, S. (1992). Helpers' reactions: When help is rejected hy friends or strangers. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 7,445–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheuk, W. H., & Rosen S. (1993). How efficacious, caring Samaritans cope with unexpected rejection. Current Psychology, 12, 99–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheuk, W. H., & Rosen, S. (1994). Validating a ‘spurning scale’ for teachers. Current Psychology, 13, 241–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheuk, W. H., & Rosen, S. (1996). The moderating influence of perceived importance on rejected helpers' reactions. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 18(2), 195–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheuk, W. H., Wong, K. S., & Rosen, S. (1994). The effects of spurning and social support on teacher burnout. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 9, 657–664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheuk, W. H., Wong, K. S., Swearse, B., & Rosen, S. (1997). Stress preparation, coping style, and nurses' experience of being spurned by patients. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 12, 1055–1064.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewe, P. (1992). The appraisal process: Exploring the role of meaning, importance, control and coping in work stress. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 5, 95–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1985). If it changes it must be a process: A study of emotion and coping during three stages of a college examination. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48,150–170.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, B. H. (Ed.). (1988). Marshaling social support: Formats, processes, and effects. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslach, C., & Jackson, S. E. (1982). Burnout in health professionals: A social psychological analysis. In G. S. Sanders & J. Suls (Eds.), Social psychology of health and illness (pp. 227–247). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mickler, S., & Rosen, S. (1994). Burnout on spurned medical caregivers and the impact of expectancy training. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 24,2110–2131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newton, T. J. (1989). Occupational stress and coping with stress. Human Relations, 42, 441–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, S., Mickler, S., & Collins, J. E., II. (1987). Reactions of would-be helpers whose offer of help is rejected. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53,288–297.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, S., Mickler, S., & Spiers, C. (1986). The spurned philanthropist. Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, 13, 145–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shumaker, S. A., & Brownell, A. (1984). Towards a theory of social support: Closing conceptual gaps. Journal of Social Issues, 40, 11–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swann, W. B. (1983). Self-verification: Bringing social reality into harmony with the self. In J. Suls & A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self (pp. 37–66). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, C. F. (1980). Wilson stress profile for teachers. (Available from C. F. Wilson, Department of Education, San Diego County, 6401 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cheuk, W.H., Wong, K.S. & Rosen, S. Validating a “spurning scale” for nurses in Hong Kong. Curr Psychol 22, 47–56 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-003-1012-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-003-1012-8

Keywords

Navigation