PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVELS OF LIFE PURPOSE IN HOSPICE WORKERS.
Contributors: Boston University.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 131
Subjects: Psychology, Industrial.; Health Sciences, Mental Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Social Work.
Description: The purpose of the study was to find whether or not Hospice workers have high levels of Purpose in Life (PIL). The research also tested seven demographic variables related to PIL including Age, Sex, Marital Status, Religion, Yrs. of Education, Position held, and Yrs. doing Hospice work. In addition a supplementary study was conducted that explored re-emerging themes and common characteristics related to PIL.

The methodological approach was both quantitative and qualitative. Administration of the Purpose in Life Test (PILT) (Crumbaugh & Maholick, 1969) was given to 74 Hospice workers from seven different hospice locations. Interviews with eleven Hospice workers were conducted that concentrated on five focal areas. They were (1) Self identity, (2) Significant life events, (3) Thoughts about pain, (4) Sense of responsibility, and (5) Sense of control.

Results. The major hypothesis that the Hospice worker will have high levels of PIL was confirmed by the quantitative results. Stated more specifically, "The grouped mean of the sample of Hospice workers was statistically significantly (p $<$.05) higher than the normed mean of the PILT. The results indicated a statistically significant difference (t = 5.26, d.f. = 74, p $<$.0005). The Hospice workers' mean was significantly higher than the normed mean (difference between means = 4.76). The additional results of testing the seven variables in relation to PIL scores indicated there to be no statistically significant predictors. The results did however reveal that individuals who have worked longer in a hospice tended to be older.

Formulated results from the supplementary study reveal that there are ten common characteristics that Hospice workers share and that are evident to high levels of Purpose in Life.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-07, Section: B, page: 2904.

Thesis (ED.D.)--BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1988.

School code: 0017.