Nursing Students' Attitudes towards Complementary Alternative Therapy - Q methodological approach -

간호학생의 보완대체요법에 대한 태도 연구 - Q 방법론적 접근 -

This study aims to identify the types and type-specific characteristics of subjectivity on complementary alternative therapy of nursing students using Q-methodology and to provide them as basic materials for nursing education. Q-methodology provides a scientific method for identifying perception structures that exist within certain individuals or groups. Thirty C college nursing students' classified 35 selected Q-statements into 9 points standard, according to the level of agreement or disagreement by forced normal distribution. The collected data was analyzed by using a QUNAL PC program. Resultingly, the attitude of nursing students regarding complementary alternative therapy was divided into three types. Type 1 is positive recognition. The students who think the therapy contributes to maintaining and improving health, and is a way to protect human body and improve welfare by enhancing immunity. Type 2 is objective acceptance. The students who think the complementary alternative therapy is effective when it is properly used for specific constitutions in discussion with medical teams after its effects are scientifically reviewed. Type 3 is popularity consideration. The students who put focus on its popular use and regard the therapy as very useful for not only patients but also ordinary healthy people because it is based on the natural and human approach. In conclusion, proposed are studies on influence factor of nursing students' awareness about the complementary alternative therapy and reviews on the effects of the complementary alternative therapy that is applied as nursing intervention.