Adversity Quotient and Disaster and Health Emergency Response Management Competence of Community Nurses: Basis for a Contextualized Emergency Response Management Plan

Community nurses are central to disaster risk reduction and health emergency management, yet effective performance requires both technical competence and the capacity to function under adversity. Objective: This study examined the adversity quotient and disaster and health emergency response management competence of community nurses in Northern Samar, identified profile characteristics associated with adversity quotient, determined the relationship between adversity quotient and emergency response competence, and developed a contextualized management plan. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational design was used. A stratified sample of 133 community nurses from 26 participating municipal health offices and rural health units completed a validated structured questionnaire. The adversity quotient and emergency response competence scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .78 and .87, respectively). Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, point-biserial correlation, Spearman rank correlation, and one-way analysis of variance, with α = .05. The respondents reported a very high adversity quotient (M = 4.27, SD = 0.71) and high disaster and health emergency response management competence (M = 4.08, SD = 0.72). Ownership was the highest-rated adversity quotient dimension, whereas control was the lowest. Prevention and mitigation was the highest-rated competence domain, whereas response was the lowest. Adversity quotient was significantly associated with age, educational attainment, emergency-response roles, relevant experience, and number of trainings attended. It was not significantly associated with gender, civil status, employment status, or current position. Adversity quotient was moderately and positively correlated with emergency response competence (r = .587, p < .001). Community nurses demonstrated strong resilience and generally high emergency management competence; however, targeted development is warranted in perceived control, operational response, psychological first aid, mental health referral, documentation, and inter-agency coordination. The proposed contextualized plan integrates resilience-building, competency-based training, simulation, mentoring, and performance monitoring.

adversity quotient; community nurses; disaster response competence; emergency response management; health emergency preparedness

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