Effects of a Neonatal Nursing Practice Program on Students' Stress, Self-efficacy, and Confidence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a neonatal nursing practice program for nursing students on students' stress, self-efficacy, and confidence. METHODS: A 1-group pre- and post- study design was used. The participants consisted of 64 nursing students who were in a pediatric nursing clinical practicum at a nursing college in Seoul from September 2015 to May 2016. The program consisted of 3 stages-orientation, practice, and debriefing-and was conducted for 3 hours during a 2-week period of the pediatric nursing clinical practicum. The dependent variables were neonatal nursing practice stress, self-efficacy, and confidence. Data were analyzed using the paired t-test, the Pearson correlation coefficient, the x² test, and descriptive statistics with SPSS for Windows version 22.0. RESULTS: The neonatal nursing practice program was effective at decreasing clinical practice-related stress and increasing confidence and self-efficacy regarding neonatal nursing practice. CONCLUSION: The neonatal nursing practice program may effectively promote the integration of theoretical knowledge and practice. In the future, we propose to develop various educational programs that reinforce basic nursing skills for neonates as part of an effective pediatric nursing clinical practicum.

Predictors of Meaning in Life in Adolescents with Leukemia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of spiritual well-being and meaning in life for adolescents with leukemia. METHODS: Participants were 102 adolescents (11-21 years) recruited at C university hospital from June to August in 2014. The eligible participants were diagnosed with leukemia and are on follow-up care at the outpatient clinic. Participants were assessed for spiritual well-being, meaning in life, self-esteem, and social support. RESULTS: Levels of spiritual well-being and meaning in life for these adolescents with leukemia were 3.69 out of 6 and 3.10 out of 4, respectively. Self-esteem and social support from family were factors affecting spiritual well-being. Self-esteem, existential well-being and social support from family and friends were predictive for meaning in life and accounted for 68% of total variance. CONCLUSION: The results show that there are several factors affecting spiritual well-being and meaning in life in adolescents with leukemia. Therefore, nursing intervention programs for adolescents with leukemia should include strengthening self-esteem and social support as well as considering the spiritual aspect of life in order to find meaning in life beyond leukemia.

Predictors of Resilience in Adolescents with Leukemia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors relating to resilience for adolescents with leukemia and examine the relationship between these factors. METHODS: From June to September in 2014, 199 adolescents aged 11 to 21 participated in the study as they visited the out-patient clinic at C university hospital for follow-up care. To verify the predictors and the effects of resilience, uncertainty, symptom distress, perceived social support, spiritual perspective, defensive coping, courageous coping, hope, and self-transcendence were measured. Collected data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis with the SAS statistics program. RESULTS: The final regression model showed that courageous coping, hope, and self-transcendence were significant predictors related to resilience in adolescents with leukemia and explained for 63% of the variance in resilience. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that adolescent-oriented intervention programs enhancing courageous coping, hope, and self-transcendence should be provide for adolescents with leukemia in order to overcome illness-related stress and support physical, psychological and social adjustment.

Late Effects, Social Adjustment, and Quality of Life in Adolescent Survivors of Childhood Leukemia

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the late effects, social adjustment, and quality of life in adolescents who had been completely treated for childhood leukemia and their parents. METHODS: Participants consisted of 41 pairs of adolescent survivors (13-18 years) and their parents. Parents checked for their child's physical late effects. The Korean Version of Post-Traumatic Symptoms for psychological late effects, social functioning questionnaire for social adjustment and the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales for quality of life were completed by adolescents and parents. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Twenty out of 41 adolescents had one or more physical late effects. Adolescents showed more serious psychological late effect than parents. Five children and seven parents had above cut-off scores and they were considered the high risk group for posttraumatic symptoms. Parent-reported scores were significantly higher than child-reported scores in terms of social adjustment and emotional functioning of quality of life. Low school functioning in adolescents was associated with physical late effects. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that long-term and systematic management for childhood leukemia survivors affect positive social adjustment and can further improve quality of life.

Effects of a Psychological Adaptation Improvement Program for International Marriage Migrant Women in South Korea

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop and evaluate the Psychological Adaptation Improvement Program (PAIP) for international marriage migrant women in South Korea. METHODS: A total of 43 international marriage migrant women who were enrolled in six rural multicultural family support centers in South Korea were included in this study. They were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 21) or to the control group (n = 22). The intervention group received 10 sessions of PAIP, 1 or 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks. The dependent variables were self-esteem, depression and social problem solving ability. The data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, t test, and repeated measures analysis of variance using SAS program. RESULTS: PAIP was effective in increasing self-esteem and reducing depression, and partially showed significant positive effects on participants' social problem solving ability, suggesting increased levels of positive problem orientation and decreased avoidance style in the social problem solving ability subscales. CONCLUSION: PAIP might be used as an effective intervention to improve psychological adaptation among international marriage migrant women in the rural community of South Korea.