Effectiveness of a Mental Health Program using Instagram (Friendship Town) for Newly Entered Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic
10.12934/jkpmhn.2022.31.2.230
- Author:
Ji Eun KIM
1
;
Miran JUNG
Author Information
1. Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Konyang University, Daejeon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
2022;31(2):230-240
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mental health program utilizing Instagram for nursing students.
Methods:A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Fifty-seven nursing students who enrolled in a university during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea participated in the study: 30 nursing students (26 females and 4 males) in the experimental group and 27 nursing students (21 females and 6 males) in the control group. The Instagram Program for mental health provided 8 sessions for each topic. The data collected via questionnaires were statistically analyzed.
Results:Significant differences were found between the two groups in depression (t=-2.32, p=.024) and anxiety (t=-2.43, p=.018), but there was no significant difference in loneliness (t=0.64, p=.263).
Conclusion:The Instagram program is accessible for incoming nursing students and effective in decreasing their depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 era. Therefore, this intervention could enhance the mental health of nursing students by allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings through mutual interaction on Instagram.
