Evaluation of a Psychoeducation Program Given to International Nursing Students for Healthy Lifestyle and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

Objective: This research was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducation program given to international nursing students receiving education in the nursing department of a public university to improve their healthy lifestyle behaviors and life satisfaction. Methods:The research was designed based on the single-group pretest-posttest model. The research sample consisted of 68 international students enrolled in the university's nursing department in the 2016-2017 academic year. Data were collected using the introduction form, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale, and Life Satisfaction Scale. Pre-education and post-education scores were compared using the dependent t-test. Results:The total Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale score and subscale scores significantly increased after the program (p≤0.001). The score obtained from the Life Satisfaction Scale was 20.1±4.6 before the program and 25.9±3.9 after the program, and this increase was statistically significant (p≤0.001). Conclusion:The psychoeducation program given to international students effectively ensures that students gain healthy lifestyle behaviors, positively affecting life satisfaction.