Asian Nurs Res.  2016 Mar;10(1):68-74. 10.1016/j.anr.2015.11.001.

Vocational Identity and Ego Identity Status in Korean Nursing Students

• Koo HY
• Kim EJ

• KMID: 2374295
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2015.11.001

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between vocational identity and ego identity status among Korean nursing students.
METHODS
The participants were 311 nursing students in South Korea who were attending either a 4-year bachelor's program or a 3-year diploma program. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires that addressed vocational identity, ego identity status, and demographic information. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, t test, and Chi-square test.
RESULTS
In terms of ego identity status, 31.5% of nursing students were classified as being in diffusion status, followed by 28.3% in low profile moratorium status, 14.8% in moratorium status, 14.1% in foreclosure status, and 11.3% in achievement status. Vocational identity differed according to ego identity status; vocational identity among students who were in achievement status was higher than for those in all other statuses. Vocational identity also differed according to grade level and monthly family income. Ego identity status was related to the type of program enrolled in, grade level, and monthly family income.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings show that nursing students in identity achievement status have secure and clear vocational identities. Further longitudinal and qualitative studies are needed to find out if identity formation among nursing students changes with age.

Keyword

nursing; self concept; students

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
*Career Choice
Cross-Sectional Studies
*Ego
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Republic of Korea
*Self Concept
Self Report
Socioeconomic Factors
Students, Nursing/*psychology
Young Adult