Biomedical Research

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Research Article - Biomedical Research (2018) Volume 29, Issue 20

The effects of an interpersonal relationship improvement program on self-esteem, interpersonal orientation, and ego-resilience on Korean adolescents

Young Ran Yeun1 and Hee Young Woo2*

1Department of Nursing, Kangwon National University, 346 Hwangjogil, Dogyeeup, Samcheok, Gangwondo, Republic of Korea

2Department of Nursing, Sahmyook Health University, 82 Manguro, Dongdaemun-gu Seoul, Republic of Korea

*Corresponding Author:
Hee Young Woo
Department of Nursing
Sahmyook Health University, Republic of Korea

Accepted on November 15, 2018

DOI: 10.4066/biomedicalresearch.29-18-1119

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an interpersonal relationship improvement program on self-esteem, interpersonal orientation, and ego-resilience on Korean adolescents. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), 62 eligible participants were randomly assigned to either group A (intervention, n=30) or group B (usual care, n=32). Self-esteem, interpersonal orientation, and egoresilience were measured at the baseline, and a three-week follow-up was conducted. The t-test was then used to determine the effect of intervention. The mean self-esteem (p=0.002), interpersonal orientation (p=0.000), and ego-resilience (p=0.000) significantly increased after intervention. Thus, the results of this study suggested that the interpersonal relationship improvement program could be utilized as an effective means to improve mental and social health of adolescents.

Keywords

Relationship, Self-esteem, Interpersonal orientation, Ego-resilience, Adolescents.

Introduction

Interpersonal skills, which are acquired especially during adolescence, are the basis of the quality of life and type of social adaptation in adulthood [1]. However, Korean adolescents are experiencing many difficulties in interpersonal relations. According to the report of the Korea Youth Counseling and Welfare Institute, the difficulty caused by an interpersonal relationship was ranked second (24.9%) in youth counseling problems [2].

An interpersonal relationship can significantly influence the psychological health of adolescents. When a satisfactory interpersonal relationship is formed, self-identity is established, a healthy personality develops, and the levels of selffulfillment and happiness increase [3]. However, if the interpersonal relationship needs are not met, youths can experience psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and behavioral problems, such as school maladjustment, antisocial behaviors, aggressive behaviors, social phobia, and delinquency [4]. Therefore, it is highly important to develop a program that can help adolescents, who are in the process of forming their personalities, accept themselves and their peers, and promote healthy interpersonal relationships.

Therefore, this study aims to identify the effects of the interpersonal relationship improvement program (IRIP) on the self-esteem, interpersonal orientation, and ego-resilience of adolescents, and to pave the way for the establishment of healthy interpersonal relations for adolescents.

Materials and Methods

Adolescents aged 13-17 y were randomly assigned to group A (intervention, n=30) or B (usual care, n=32) using Research Randomizer computer software. The mean age of the subjects was 14.5 y, consisting of 14 males and 48 females. The results of the homogeneity analysis showed no significant difference between groups A and B. This study adhered to the Helsinki Declaration, and written informed consent was obtained from each participant.

The IRIP was developed based on the previous study and the youth program conducted by the Youth Relations Research Center at S university [5]. For group A, a total of six IRIP sessions were given, consisting of 60 min per session and 2 sessions per week. All sessions were composed of individual activities and group activities to enhance educational effectiveness. The 1st session comprised of the orientation time in which the program was explained, goals were set, and participants introduced themselves. In the 2nd and 3rd sessions, activities for self-disclosure and understanding other people were held. In the 4th and 5th sessions, participants acquired skills in communication and relationship building. In the 6th session, participants shared their future plans and overall impressions.

Self-esteem, Interpersonal orientation and Ego-resilience were measured by using the Self Perception Profile for children [6], interpersonal relations scale [7] and ego-resiliency scale [8].

All of the data were expressed as means ± standard deviations. The homogeneity of groups A and B was analysed using t or Chi-square tests. The effects of the intervention on self-esteem, interpersonal orientation and ego-resilience were analysed using t-tests. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics for Windows version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). The significant level was set at p<0.05.

Results

The results showed significant improvements in self-esteem, interpersonal orientation and ego-resilience subsequent to the intervention (Table 1).

Variable Group Examination Changes p
Baseline Follow up
Self-esteem A 86.10 ± 12.82 94.13 ± 10.02 8.03 ± 6.21 0.002
B 87.91 ± 12.16 85.81 ± 10.41 -2.10 ± 1.57
Interpersonal orientation A 50.50 ± 7.62 55.17 ± 7.38 4.67 ± 5.86 0
B 49.22 ± 5.27 48.34 ± 5.35 -0.88 ± 2.39
Ego-resilience A 36.97 ± 6.91 40.20 ± 6.52 3.23 ± 2.55 0
B 34.13 ± 4.36 34.25 ± 4.75 0.12 ± 2.38

Table 1. Clinical outcomes of baseline and follow-up examination in groups A and B.

Discussion

The results showed that the IRIP was effective in improving the Korean adolescents’ self-esteem and interpersonal orientation. Bang et al. [9] reported that the adventure-based counseling program was effective in improving the adolescents’ self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. The study of Gao et al. [10] showed that the social skill group counseling program was effective in improving the self-esteem of children. These findings can be interpreted as the IRIP helped adolescents develop their concepts of self positively via self-objectification, in which they found their merits and examined their own values. Furthermore, the group activity in the program seems to have promoted interpersonal orientation by improving communication skills, which are helpful in building relationships after accepting other people with a positive attitude [11]. Therefore, it is important to develop a program that can acquire the respect for each other, values, and interpersonal conflicts in relation to peers.

Another important finding was the discovery that IRIP was effective in improving ego-resilience. A previous study demonstrated that a transactional analysis group program increased the resilience of adolescents [12]. Similarly, an RCT showed that their ego-resilience significantly improved after attending a personality education program [13]. According to Kim [14], activities with peers improve the ability to mobilize flexible behaviors and problem-solving methods, which are suitable in enhancing one’s sense of community, self-esteem, and situational needs. Thus, the IRIP might improve egoresilience by improving the adolescents’ positive awareness to help them cope with different situations, and to adopt more coping strategies.

References

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