Purpose
This study was done to explore the experiences of ego identity development in Korean nursing students.
Methods
Data were collected from 16 nursing students through in-depth interviews. The main question was, “Could you tell me your experience of developing an ego identity?” Data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory methodology.
Results
The core category of the experiences of ego identity development in Korean nursing students was ‘trying to be a different new person’. Action/interaction strategies were ‘solving the problem using experiences’, ‘making one’s own success story’, and ‘making harmony with others’. Consequences were ‘being sure of oneself as a new person’.
Conclusion
Korean nursing students tried to use their experiences, achieve success, and harmonize with others. Their efforts were influenced by conflicts and supports of people around. Therefore, nurse educators should understand contextual and intervening conditions of nursing students, and try to help them achieve ego identities.

Citations

• Influence of perceived parental child-rearing attitudes and ego identity on college adjustment among Korean nursing students
  Hye Seon Choi, Sona Lee, Eunju Seo
  BMC Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Changes of ego identity and psychosocial maturity in nursing students: A longitudinal study
  Hyun Young Koo, Jae Suk Lee
  Nurse Education Today.2020; 94: 104574.     CrossRef
• Experiences of the Development of Parent-Child Relations among Korean College Students
  Hyun Young Koo
  Child Health Nursing Research.2018; 24(4): 420.     CrossRef