Elementary School Students' Coping Ability in Emergency Situations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to improve coping abilities of elementary school students in emergency situations.Method: The data were collected from 1633 3-6th grade elementary school students using a self-report questionnaire.Results: 1) The mean score for the coping ability of the students was low at .38 (±.36).2) The mean scores for the 8 categories were, [Care for common symptoms], .54(±.48), [Call for help & check], .47(±.43), [Care for injury by heat•cold & foreign body], .39(±.45), [Care for tissue damage], .36(±.44), [Offering help], .36(±.42), [Rescue & escape], .31(±.51), [Evacuation], .28(±.49), and [Appropriate response for the situation], .27(±.43).The mean scores for 2 areas were, 'Acting tips', .35(±.36) and 'First aid', .42(±.40).There were significant differences in coping ability according to students' gender (t=4.964,p<.001), and family type (t=-2.484,p=.013).4) Among the categories, there were significant correlations between all 8 categories and significant correlation between 'Acting tips' and 'First aid' (r=.808, p<.001), 'Acting tips' and 'Coping ability' (r=.956, p<.001), and 'First aid' and 'Coping ability' (r=.946, p<.001). Conclusion:The findings indicate a need for programs to improve the coping ability of elementary school students in emergency situations.