The Effect on the Self-Esteem Promotion Program on Self-Esteem and Mental Health of Adolescents with Minor Delinquency
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Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (2001) Vol. 31, No. 7 The Effect on the Self-Esteem Promotion Program on Self-Esteem and Mental Health of Adolescents with Minor Delinquency Eun Young Choi, RN, PhD1, Eun Joo Oh, RN, PhD2 This research was performed to investigate the effectiveness of self-esteem promotion program(SEPP) to ado- lescents with minor delinquency on self-esteem and mental health. Samples of this study were 36 adolescents with signs of minor delinquency in the third grade of middle schools who reside in K city. Data analysis was conducted by chi-square test which tests the general homogeneity between the experiment group and the control group. To test hypothesis how SEPP affects on self-esteem, mental health, and delinquen- cy, paired t-test was performed. The results were summarized as follow; 1. After the experimental treatment, self-esteem score was not statistically significant. 2. After the experimental treatment, mental health score was statistically significant. 3. After the experimental treatment, self reported delinquency score was statistically significant. As the result of this research, the SEPP increased the degree of mental health and decreased that of delinquen- cy of the adolescents who committed minor delinquency. Self-esteem is difficult to be changed by itself in number for a short time, but there is potential effect, which can be expected the preceding changes of mental health and behavior of participants. Key Words: Self-esteem promotion program; Self-esteem; Mental health The mental mal-adaptation experiences the fear of INTRODUCTION rage and aggressive urge in the immature situation, and induces factors of health problem which leads to frustra- The juvenile delinquency has emerged as a major so- tion, defeatism, depression, and hedonism. It easily falls cial problem since getting into a higher industrial society into drugs without confidence as an independent person- in 1970s. The juvenile delinquency has increased each ality, as well. year and has had tendency to become more violent in Shim(1994) showed that students who conducted quality and grouping. In addition the age has become more self centered, unrealistic, anti-social behavior, had lower as time goes on. 7.8 percent of total crime were less self-esteem. In Choi’s study(1996), the most precau- caused by adolescents in 1997, which were distributed tion or intervention as one time judicious guidance to ju- as violent crime(38.5%), theft(20.5%), felonious venile delinquency and the counter plan after this delin- crime(2.5%), and so on. The felonious crimes including quency had already been serious, have performed by murder, robbery, rape, and incendiarism show tendency schools and institutions. Thurs, the effort of the first, sec- to increase, the portion was 2.4% in 1997, comparing to ond cure to intervene before the delinquent problem 1.8% in 1993. grows seriously is highly restricted. In Choi’s 1. Full-time instructor, Department of Nursing, Seonam University 2. School Inspector, Gwangju Metropolitan office Education Corresponding author: EunYoung Choi, PhD, RN, 720 Kwangchi-dong, Namwon, Chonbuk 590-711, Korea Tel: 8263-620-0106 Fax: 8263-620-0305 E-mail: [email protected] Received August 29, 2001 ; Accepted December 21, 2001 1182 Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Vol. 31, No. 7 study(1990), as promoting self-esteem he or she respect- tity and the ideal entity as strengthening self-approval ed herself as a human being, became capable, had at- with conversation and psychotherapy. As you see, self- tachment, and got along well with others as well as he or esteem affected by attitude of others meaningful to him - she had fewer complaints. However, if she became losing such as family, colleague, and friends-is the degree of self-esteem she experienced critic, self hatred, and de- thinking that he is important and valuable. Self-esteem pression through feelings that she was meaningless, inca- performed in school period relatively lasts for life and pable, and it caused incompetence and isolation, too. positive self-esteem is essential to adapt oneself to soci- Park & Choi’s research(1990) reported that a juvenile ety when grown up. showed lower level of mental health as he or she com- mitted more delinquencies. There was tendency to show 2. Mental Health mal-adaptive behavior caused by improper control over Jun(1987) mentioned that the person in good mental fretfulness, anxiety, depression, and hostility that hided health judges himself practically and accepts his advan- behind their actions. Especially, there was strong rela- tages and disadvantages as what they are, and shows his tionship between delinquent experience and hostility. faithful concern to others. He seeks intrinsic value rather In this research, SEPP is performed to the students than extrinsic one, and takes care of himself without shows minor infractions to test this program increases hurting others in seeking it. She also defined good men- self-esteem and mental health level and makes delin- tal health as who can overcome the stress and frustration quency level lower. Furthermore, this study will discuss without disagreement of his character. According to SEPP performs as the second precautious program for Gwon, whether a person’s mental is healthy or not is de- the minor infraction as well as the precaution of serious cided by adaptability to environment. The mentally juvenile delinquencies and mental health problems. healthy person has a series of habit to make him adapt himself to the environment successfully. Mental health LITERATURE REVIEW means the character that he can manifest his maximum ability to adapt himself to surroundings and manage his 1. Self-Esteem life independently, constructively, and voluntarily(Ha. et. People want love and acceptance and have anxiety to al., 2000). get positive consideration from others as they grow. The correlated researches to the mental health are fol- Because of these needs, others who are meaningful to lowed. Um & Ha(1993) showed that the higher mental juveniles can strongly affect on them by providing love health is resulted from the higher self-actualization. In and acceptance or not doing so. In that aspect, it is very testing female high school students. Choi(1993) tested important to get positive self-concept through proper, how mental health is related to the sub-factors of mental desirable self-esteem. Choi & Jun(1993) defined that health, such as self-esteem in general, self-esteem in self-esteem is made by the feeling or self valuation expe- family, self-esteem in society, and self-esteem in school. rienced in his past time and considered self-esteem as a For high school students, the result was significant in kind of mental tendency which represents the recog- that higher self-esteem group has less mental health nized, estimated level for himself. They categorized self- problem than lower group does. Recently, it is reported esteem into self-esteem in general, self-esteem in society, that middle and high school students’ depression, neuro- self-esteem in family, and self-esteem in school. Self-es- sis, and suicide is increasing. Kim(1990) said that juve- teem in school period is significantly affected by the nile delinquency appears with developing mental health family structure, the environment, the parents’ attitude problems. In Lee’s study(1996), juveniles who punished for raising, the school environment, and the character of by court because of drug abuse, paranoia, robbery, and teachers. Corpulent adolescents suffer characteristic dis- violence characterized the low level of mental health order with complex about appearance and mental un- concerning somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interper- easiness. It is reported that lower self-esteem is a major sonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic problem of mental disease. Many experimenters insist anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychocitism. Mental that it should be possible for students to improve self-es- health problem of adolescents becomes an important so- teem by SEPPs. Jun(1974) said that self-esteem is en- cial issue and needs remedy. hanced by the proper harmony between the present en- Choi et al. Self-Esteem Promotion Program for Adolescents 1183 3. SEPP and juvenile delinquent and lead the natural homogeneity of group. 2) Three ex- The word delinquency comes from wrong-doing, ne- perimental assistants will distribute the behavior report. glect of duty. Generally not-desirable doing is referred to After filling it out for 30 minutes, simples will talk about delinquency which comes from sociologic term and the the answer of contents on it ach other and share their doer is called as a delinquent. In other words, juvenile opinions. 3) Let them say “I can do it” five times and delinquent means the juvenile who has conducted discuss felling for the last time. Make them practice their wrong-doings in the ethical, social, and legal aspects. In feelings in real life. 1993, delinquency preventive program performed in public self-esteem as one of human being’s basic instinct. 2. Subjects and Methodology As the result, there was much effect on reducing the The samples of this study were composed of 50 stu- delinquency. dents who were recommended by a nursing teacher or a Reasoner(1994) stated that SEPP was specially effec- disciplinary teacher among third graders in three middle tive to promoting studies, and reducing vandalism, ab- schools located in K city. 1) Students who visited the sence without due notice, pregnancy, drug abuse, and vi- nursing room more than 10 times because of the school olence in school. The other studies performed SEPP in violence. 2) Students warned by teachers owing to fre- school (Curtis & Shaver, 1981 ; Greene & Uroff, 1989), quent quarrel, disobedience of a teacher’s instruction, were testified that self-esteem and accomplishment of cunnings, possession of salacious books, dress disorder study were improved.