The Development of a Program Promoting the Adjustment and its Effectiveness for School aged Children's Hospital Life

Oh, Jina

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a program promoting adjustment to hospital life and determining its effectiveness for school aged children. METHOD: The sample group consisted of 76 hospitalized children in 2 University Hospitals located in Busan. The experimental group was given the program on admission and feedback was obtained on the 3rd day and again 24 hours later. Data was analyzed using t-test and ANOVA in the SPSS program package. RESULT: There were significant differences, in information(t=4.235, p=0.000) and coping effort criteria (t=2.922, p=0.005) between the experimental and control groups. There was a non-significant difference in attitude criteria between the two groups(t=1.009, p=0.316). CONCLUSION: It was found that the adjustment promoting program for hospital life for school aged children was effective, but not enough to promote self-esteem. The program, based on a learning theory, was improved and shown to be an effective and strong method to promote adjustment of school-aged children.