Phenomenological Research on the Experience of Weight Control Among Nursing Students / 성인간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to discover the essence and the structure of the experiences of weight control by nursing students. METHODS: Participants were 12 nursing students who had tried losing weight at C university in Busan, Korea. The data were collected from June 17 to August 6, 2006. For the purpose of this study, focus group discussions and in depth interviews were employed. RESULTS: The collected data were analyzed by using Giorgi's method. As the results of the analysis, the following four components of experience were derived: My appearance looked abnorml; Measures for self-realization; Pursuit of my own way only; Feelings of accomplishment and self confidence. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop an effective weight control program with minimized side effects that are harmful to health, based on the components of the nursing students' experiences in weight control that were identified in this study.