ORIENTATION TO AND PERCEPTIONS OF PERSONAL POWER OF NURSES WHO HAVE AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED CHILDHOOD PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE (PHYSICAL ABUSE).
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 95
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.
Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between nurses who had and had not experienced childhood abuse and their orientation to and perceptions of personal power. Research questions were: Is there a significant difference in orientation between nurses who have experienced childhood abuse and nurses who have not experienced childhood abuse? Is there a significant difference in the perception of one's own personal power between nurses who have experienced childhood abuse and nurses who have not experienced childhood abuse? Is there a relationship between one's orientation toward power and the perception of one's own personal power?.

The sample population was 159 female, registered nurses randomly selected from two states. The study utilized an exploratory research design with mailed questionnaires. Three tools were used: Power Orientation Tool, Health Care Work Powerlessness Scale (Revised), and General Information Sheet. Using t-tests to analyze data, no statistically significant difference in orientation to power or perception of personal power was found between nurses who have and have not experienced childhood abuse. Pearson Product Moment correlations revealed statistically significant positive correlations between perception of personal power and an orientation to power as resource dependency and an orientation to power as control and autonomy; and a negative correlation between perception of power and an orientation to power as good for the non-abused nurses. For the abused nurses there was a statistically significant negative correlation between perception of power and an orientation to power as good. Statistical significance was established as p = $<$.05.

There was evidence of significant relationships between one's orientation toward power and one's perception of personal power. There was inconclusive data about the effect of childhood abuse on one's perception of personal power. Childhood abuse had been experienced by 26.41% of the nurses. This study indicates the need for nursing education and practice to openly acknowledge the number of nurses abused in childhood, to address their needs, and provide resources to help nurses who may still be having difficulty.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-11, Section: B, page: 4982.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1989.

School code: 0227.