Development and Effects of Interpersonal Caring Program for Vulnerable Adolescents in Mental Health Clinics

Choi, Eun Joung; Lee, Young Eun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this research was to develop an interpersonal caring program "Muldan Dongsan" for vulnerable adolescents in mental health clinics and to identify the effect of this program.
METHODS
The interpersonal caring program was composed of group interpersonal caring (one time per week for two weeks, for a total of 8 hr) and individual interpersonal caring (1-2 times per day for 2 weeks). For this research, a non-synchronized quasi-experimental model including nonequivalent experimental and control groups was used. The experimental group was made up of 17 students and the control group, of 22 students. The data were collected from May 11 to July 25, 2009 and the collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program.
RESULTS
The interpersonal caring program "Muldan Dongsan" was effective for mental health, including self-esteem, hope, and quality of life for vulnerable adolescents.
CONCLUSION
The positive findings on the effectiveness of the interpersonal caring program "Muldan Dongsan" and the participants' high satisfaction with this program indicate that it can be utilized actively as a specific nursing intervention program for adolescents at school and in the community.