Effectiveness of a Strength-Based Intervention into Nursing Education in South Korea

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of strength-based interventions integrated into the nursing education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants were 259 baccalaureate nursing students in South Korea. Over 15 weeks, strength-based intervention was integrated into the regular nursing curriculum. Stress, resilience, and well-being of the participants were measured before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using a linear mixed model via the SPSS statistics 21.0. program. RESULTS: There was a negative weak association between stress and well-being and between stress and resilience (r = −0.164, p = 0.009 and r = −0.138, p = 0.029, respectively) and a positive moderate association between well-being and resilience (r = 0.561, p<0.001). After adjusting the covariates, the interaction of group*time for stress and resilience were significant after the intervention, reflecting a higher status of stress and improved resilience. (p= 0.046 and 0.030 respectively). CONCLUSION: Integrating strength-based interventions into the nursing curriculum was effective in improving the mental health of Korean nursing students. Future research is needed to identify various ways of applying positive psychology to the nursing education.