Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of perceived powerlessness in hospitalized elderly patients of the medical and surgical unit. Method: The instrument for this study was the Powerlessness Behavioral Assessment Tool(Miller, 1983). The reliability of the instruments was .85. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA. Results: The results were as follows ; 1. The mean score of powerlessness was $35.02(SD={\pm}9.24)$ in a range of 19 to 64, and the mean of powerlessness was total 1.84. Among 4 subscales, the highest score was in the area of verbal response (M=1.98), and the lowest score for powerlessness was in the area of daily activities(M=1.74). In all items, 'verbal expression of fatalism' showed the highest score(M=2.78), and 'verbal expressions of giving up' showed the lowest score(M=1.38). 2. There were significant differences in the level of powerlessness according to hospitalization experience(t=-3.03, p=0.006), medical treatment experience(t=.291, p=.004). Especially, there was significant difference according to the hospitalization experience of the hospital in all sub- scales. Conclusion: Based on these conclusions, nursing education for patient's diseases and treatment can be used for proper nursing intervention in reducing the level of powerlessness of hospitalized elderly.