Elementary School Students' Coping Ability in Emergency Situations

Kim, Shin Jeong; Lee, Jung Eun; Kang, Kyung Ah; Kim, Sung Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to improve coping abilities of elementary school students in emergency situations. METHOD: The data were collected from 1633 3-6th grade elementary school students using a self-report questionnaire.
RESULTS
1) The mean score for the coping ability of the students was low at .38 (+/-.36). 2) The mean scores for the 8 categories were, [Care for common symptoms], .54 (+/-.48), [Call for help & check], .47 (+/-.43), [Care for injury by heat.cold & foreign body], .39 (+/-.45), [Care for tissue damage], .36 (+/-.44), [Offering help], .36 (+/-.42), [Rescue & escape], .31 (+/-.51), [Evacuation], .28 (+/-.49), and [Appropriate response for the situation], .27 (+/-.43). The mean scores for 2 areas were, 'Acting tips', .35 (+/-.36) and 'First aid', .42 (+/-.40). There were significant differences in coping ability according to students' gender (t=4.964, p<.001), and family type (t=-2.484, p=.013). 4) Among the categories, there were significant correlations between all 8 categories and significant correlation between 'Acting tips' and 'First aid' (r=.808, p<.001), 'Acting tips' and 'Coping ability' (r=.956, p<.001), and 'First aid' and 'Coping ability' (r=.946, p<.001).
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate a need for programs to improve the coping ability of elementary school students in emergency situations.