SELECTED PREDICTOR VARIABLES FOR ROLE STRAIN AMONG REGISTERED NURSE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE STUDENTS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
Contributors: Widener University.
Published: 1996
Number of pages: 89
Subjects: Education, Higher.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Psychology, Social.; Education, Educational Psychology.; Health Sciences, Education.
Description: The purpose of this study was to examine characteristics of Registered Nurse (RN) students which correlated to role strain. Marital satisfaction, number of children living at home, educational background, previous academic performance (GPA), self-esteem and stage of career development served as predictor variables. Level of role strain was the dependent variable.

The sample was obtained from all female students in the RN baccalaureate degree program at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. All students were asked to participate and a sample size of 129 was obtained.

An ex post facto (correlational) design was utilized for this study. A Pre-Inventory Survey was developed by the researcher and administered to obtain information regarding the predictor variables number of children, educational background, and grade point average as well as basic demographic information.

The Lengacher Role Strain Inventory was the tool which was utilized to measure role strain in the RN student. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Adult Form Inventory was utilized to measure self-esteem. The Career Concerns Inventory was utilized to assess career development of the sample subjects. Marital satisfaction was measured by The Snyder Marital Satisfaction Inventory.

The data was analyzed utilizing Pearson Product Moment Correlation and stepwise multiple regression to determine the best predictors of role strain. Five variables were found to be significantly correlated with role strain. These variables were self-esteem and the career stage maintenance (p $<$.01) and marital satisfaction and the career stages of establishment and disengagement (p$<$.05). The results of the stepwise multiple regression were not significant.

It is suggested that upper division baccalaureate degree nursing programs establish testing programs especially in the areas of self-esteem, marital satisfaction and career stages to determine student risk levels of role strain. Intervention strategies should be developed and put in place to help students deal with stressors related to high levels of role strain.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-03, Section: A, page: 1045.

Thesis (ED.D.)--WIDENER UNIVERSITY, 1996.

School code: 1063.