Vol.128 (Healthcare and Nursing 2016), pp.98-103 http://dx.doi.org/10.14257/astl.2016. Influence of Personality Types on Sustainable Hospice Volunteer Work Hyun Jung, Doo 1, Mihye, Kim 2 Department of Nursing, JinJu Helalth College, 51 Uibyeong-ro, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52655, Republic of Korea, prof.hjdoo@gmail.com Department of Nursing, Cheongam College, Green 1641 Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, 540-743, Republic of Korea, mixedbetty@nate.com Abstract. The purpose of this study is to identify and categorize the types and differences of long-term hospice volunteer workers personalities. The Q-methodology was used for the study. 37 hospice volunteers participated. As a result, the cards containing 45 Q-statements were each placed in 9-point scale sorting table. The data that was gathered through coding was analyzed by PC QUANL program. Four types of personalities were identified for long-term hospice volunteers. They were Compassionate, Enjoying, Sincere, and Empowerment types. The results of this study can serve as the basic data for developing hospice volunteer organization and management programs that consider the characteristics of hospice volunteers. Keywords: Personality, Hospice, Q-Methodology, Volunteer 1 Introduction With the recent directional refinement of Korea s policies on hospice palliative care, there is an increasing interest in the role and management of hospice volunteers [1]. The members of hospice teams include people from a variety of professions such as medical care, clergy, social worker, nutritionist, therapist, and counselor, where volunteer workers account for the largest proportion [3]. It is important for volunteers to provide continuous and long-term volunteer activities because short term activity or frequent change in hospice volunteer workers not only has a direct impact on the management and operation of hospice teams, but it is also a negative influence on maintaining the family structure of the patients and their families. However, there are currently not enough studies on hospice volunteer groups or studies on the sustainability of volunteer activity provided by volunteers. Therefore, it is necessary to identify what types of characteristics are associated with current volunteer workers who have been providing continuous volunteer activities for a long time. The reason for focusing on the personalities of the volunteers in this study is 1 * Corresponding Author : HyunJung,Doo E-mail.: prof.hjdoo@gmail.com, ISSN: 2287-1233 ASTL Copyright 2016 SERSC
Vol.128 (Healthcare and Nursing 2016) because personalities are the psychological attributes such as attitude, emotion, thinking, perception, and methods that describe human tendencies. In others words, the understanding of personalities is the systematic identification of diverse psychological phenomenon that generally appear when people adapt to different environments, which enables correct understanding of human behavior [4]. Up to now, there have been previous studies related to the importance of activities, degree of implementation, and activity analysis perceived by hospice volunteers [5, 6], but study by Kim [7] is the only study related to which hospice volunteers provide continuous volunteer activity. Concerning studies on the volunteer activities other than hospice volunteer activities, there only have been studies on the factors that influence sustainability [8, 9]. The identification of personality traits of volunteers who perform long-term volunteer service should be conducted prior to the development of supportive nursing intervention in terms of nursing management for hospice volunteers. The results can serve as a basic data for developing intervention on organization and management of long-term hospice volunteers. 2 Method This study is an exploratory study that applies Q-methodology in order to identify the personality types and characteristics of long-term hospice volunteers. 1) Configuration of Q-population and Q-sample In-depth interview and open questionnaire were used to extract Q-population using documents in order to identify the personality types of long-term hospice volunteers. The contents of the questions included questions such as What type of personality do you have and What is your personality trait that allows you to perform long-term volunteer service? 2) P-sample In order to organize the Q-population, the subjects of in-depth interviews were hospice volunteers who have been providing service for more than years. The study was conducted on 50 long-term hospice volunteers from April to 30, 2013. Statements that had fundamentally the same meaning within the gathered personality types were combined into one category, and 45 statements that had the highest distinction ability and were different from statements on personality were derived as the Q-sample <Table 2>. The purpose and procedures of this study were explained to the study subjects prior to gathering data and consent was obtained orally. Also, anonymity and use of interview contents only for the purpose of the study were guaranteed. 3) Q-sorting and data analysis method Concerning Q-sorting, the 45 statements of the study subjects that were selected as the Q-sample were categorized by 9-point scale by selecting questions according to the degree of each person s opinion from strong agreement (agree) to strong disagreement (disagree). Here, forced-normal distribution was used according to the Q-methodology in order to keep the opinions close to normal distribution. The Copyright 2016 SERSC 99
subjects were asked to write the reasons for selecting 9 statements (+4, -4) that are at the end of each extreme. 4 Results The total variable of perceived type of hospice volunteers personalities was 57.79%, where type 1 was 10.57%, type 2 was 5.40%, type 3 was 4.85%, and type 4 was 4.53%. There was a total of 15 subjects who belonged to type 1. They were warmhearted people who liked to spend time with the patients families and volunteer members, and they believed they always have to be true to themselves and others. The statements that showed the highest agreement by type 1 subjects were found to be in the order of I enjoy creating warm atmosphere where people can help each other, Sincerity is very important to me, etc. The respondent number 32 (factor weight 2.4307) who represent type 1 and people belonging to type 1 categorized through interviews emphasized sincerity and consideration of others. In addition, it was found that they were happy and enjoyed themselves when they provided care to patients. Type 1 was named as the
Vol.128 (Healthcare and Nursing 2016) Compassionate Type from the fact that they value consideration, love, and care for others. Type 2 is people who have strong passion and enjoy their lives. The statements that showed the highest agreement by type 2 subjects were in the order of I like myself, I think I enjoy my life, and I think I am a passionate person, etc. The respondent number 4 (factor weight 1.6998) who represent type 2 and people belonging to type 2 categorized through interview results said they would not be able to continue volunteer work if they did not enjoy it and they believed volunteers must apply the areas that they enjoy in life to volunteer activities. Type 2 was named as the Enjoying Type because they feel enjoyment from volunteer activities and perceive the enjoyment as the source of sustainable volunteer activities. Type 3 is people who value honesty and sincerity in life and they can play the role of a third party mediator well. The statements that showed the highest agreement by Copyright 2016 SERSC 101
type 3 subjects were in the order of I believe I have to be true to myself, When I see something wrong, I believe I have to fix the problem, etc. The respondent number 7 (factor weight 1.5195) who represent type 3 and people belonging to type 3 categorized through interview results were found to keep the promises they had made with their patients such as appointment dates at all costs. In addition, they don t miss any meetings or events with volunteers and continuously conduct volunteer activities. Type 3 was named as the Sincere Type because they made efforts with the belief that sincerity is a necessity for hospice volunteers. Type 4 is people who perceive themselves as the main subjects of activities and feel responsible for the operation and management of volunteer activities. The statements that showed the highest agreement by type 4 subjects were in the order of What others think of me is important to me, People view me as a competitive person, etc. The respondent number 24 (factor weight 2.8213) who represent type 4 and people belonging to type 4 categorized through interview results were found to be able to manage performances and results of volunteer activities well. They believe the gathering and evaluation of results from the number of registered patients and families to various events at hospice centers are important, and they participate in relevant tasks with interest. Type 4 was named as the Empowerment Type because they actively participate in the operation of volunteer organizations and attempt to operate and manage the results as the main subjects of volunteer organizations. 5 Conclusions The results of study in significant in that it is not a quantitative measurement of longterm hospice volunteers personalities, but a study on how they objectively perceived themselves. Based on the results of the study, the following can be proposed. As this was a study that identified the personality types of long-term hospice volunteers, there should be further studies on the management of volunteers that reflect the characteristics of each type and type of support requested. It is necessary to develop strategies to improve the adaptation of long-term hospice volunteers. References 1. Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. Cancer control act legislative decree and the enforcement rule amendment notice; 2014 [cited 2013 October]. Available from: http://www.mw.go.kr/ front_new /al/sal0301vw.jsp 2. J. M. Zimmerman, Hospice complete care for the terminally Ill. Baltimore. Urban & Schwarzenberg. 1986. pp23. 3. R. Hogan, Personality and personality measurement. In MD Dunnette, LM Hough, editors. Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology, Palo Alto. CA: Consulting Psychologists Press; 1991. p. 873-919. 4. B. H. Kim,Y. Jung, K. B. Park, The analysis of activities and satisfaction of volunteers for hospice care. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care, 2002, vol. 5, no. 2, pp.163-71. 5. Choi SS, Huh HK, Park SM. The analysis of activities of volunteers for hospice care. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2000, vol. 3, no. 2. pp.136-43.
Vol.128 (Healthcare and Nursing 2016) 6. Jeon MH, Lee BS. The Importance and performance of hospice volunteer's activities perceived by hospice volunteers. Korean J Hosp Palliat Care. 2009, vol.12. no.3, pp.122-31. 7. Kim YI. Factors impacting on the continuance of voluntary hospice activity [master's thesis]. [Daegu]: Yungnam University; 2010. 69. 8. Kang JS. Factor analysis of participation motivation, recognition and reward affecting the continuance will of university student volunteers. Korean J Acad Indus Cooper Soc. 2012, vol. 13, no.12, pp. 5728-37. 9. Yoo JS, Kim KD. Continuous volunteering experience in elderly people: Phenomenological research. Korean J Soc Welfare. 2010, vol. 62, no. 3, pp.247-70. Copyright 2016 SERSC 103