Perception of Undergraduate Nursing Students toward Happiness: A Q-Methodological Approach

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze types of undergraduate nursing student's perception toward happiness. Method: The Q-methodology, which provides a method of analyzing the subjectivity of each item, was used. The 34 selected Q-statements from each of 41 subjects were classified into a shape of normal distribution using a 9 point scale. The collected data was analyzed using a QUANL PC program. Result: Four types of perception of happiness in Korean undergraduate nursing students were identified. Type I is a family support vs. emotion type, Type II is a self satisfaction vs. perception type, Type III is a relation oriented vs. action type, and Type IV is a self regulation vs. belief type. Conclusion: It can be concluded that obtaining happiness by pursuing a satisfactory life through creation of values can play an important role in happiness. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that the concept of happiness might be included in nursing curriculum.