J Nurs Acad Soc.  1974 May;4(1):38-49.

STUDY IF PERSONALITY STRUCTURE AND HIERARCHY OP NEEDS IN COLLEGIATE NURSING STUDENTS

• Choi KY

Abstract

Presently, the performance level of the college student has received a great deal of attention, particularly in the area of professional education. The problem of underachievement, especially in areas dealing with science and technology, has gone through considerable investigation by neumorous Psychologists and Educators. Thus for, however, they have not been successful in determining conclusively the non-intelectual factors involved. The maladjustment problem of these students has been a thorn in the side of nursing education for some time. This topic has been discussed among nursing educators without any tangible results. Furthermore, the fact that the ntmber of students who withdraw from nursing education programs before graduation has increased. This represents a major problem for nursing education. This problem area had increased attention drawn to it on October 1957, when Russia successfully launched to first satellite "Sputnik" into space. Various studies seem to indicate that factors related to over-achievement and under- achievement can be found in the motivation of the students. This study is aimed at testing 3 hypotheses which hopefully will lead to a better understanding of the learning activities of nursing students and to determine some of their nonintellectual personality traits. Hypothesis 1 : If learning activities in nursing students and personality are correlated, there will be significant differences in personality need structures between 4 classes of nursing colle-giate students. Sub-hypothesis: There will also be significant differences in the degree of student satisfaction an her major subject. Hypothesis 2 : If there is a special personality need structure which is required for the clinical learning activity in general, then there will be significant differences between the personality need structures of under-achievers and overachievers. Hypothesis 3: If each clinical nursing subject requires different personality need structures, then there will be differences in personality need structure between the different clinical groups Methodology: 1. Tool: A Korean translation and correction of the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule of U.S.A. was used. 2. Subject and Test Method: Subjecta were nursing students at Yonsei University, who enrolled for Fall semester of 1971. The Researcher herself executed the test for the test for the class as a group, and the absent students were tested indidually. Out of 307 students, 293 students (95.4%) were reported. 3, Statistical treatment: The mean and standard deviation for each of the 15 personality need variables were computed and the value of T-test was obtained to determine the differences in the personality need structures between each group. Results: 1. For the first hypothesis, the personality need structures between each of the 4 classes and the reported degree of satisfaction in major subject showed significant differences. Therefore the hypothesis I was accepted. 2. The comparison of personality need structure of under-achievers and over-achievers in clinical fields showed significant differences. Thus hypothesis 2 was accepted. 3. Personality need structure between clinical subject groups showed significant differences, therefore the 3rd hypothesis was accepted.

MeSH Terms

Education, Nursing
Education, Professional
Humans
Learning
Motivation
Nursing*
Personality Inventory
Psychology
Russia
Students, Nursing*
Underachievement