An Analysis of Research Reported in Korea on the Empowerment

임파워먼트에 관한 국내 간호논문분석

This study was for understanding about the current situation of internal nursing research related to empowerment and for suggesting the direction the research on empowerment should improve. 17 nursing research articles between 1991 and 2001 were analyzed and their analysis results showed that the research on empowerment tends increasing in number. Looking at study methods, survery and research had a majority of researchs and the target of research was mainly nurses. Empowerment concept is a process that it helps to be able to assert the control about factors which influence on human life. This process suggested the precondition and result on empowerment in view of nursing that it includes broader systematic, structural and social responsibility in making individual taking responsibility on his health in management. Empowerment is to enhance the power and its basic starts from his own empowerment. The contents of his own empowerment is to improve his own ability(including spiritual, physical, and social ability), to connote also his own confidence enhancement which looks at himself as positive and strong, and to run after the his internal repletion through strengthening of his positive aspect. Based on above his own empowerment, the empowerment that builds the capability of group or organization is eventually to strengthen the spirit of individual and organization. Finally, this concept means that it can have an usefulness about nursing practice, education, administration and research. With the foundation of this research analysis, although the research on empowerment is largely limited to nurse, in future this should be applied to various nursing targets. In addition, the research on diverse applying methods including program develoment which bases on this concept should be made.