PURPOSE
The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare ways of coping and physical symptoms of realistic optimist with unrealistic optimist in university students.
METHODS
The participants for this study were students from three university, located in Seoul and Gangwon province. The data were collected by a questionnaire given to the students.
RESULTS
The most frequently used coping skills of realistic/unrealistic optimist was the pursuit of social support. Realistic optimists are likely to use not only active coping skills but also passive coping skills, on the other hand unrealistic optimists tend to less use all coping skills. But in physical health, it doesn't show a significant differences except gastro-intestinal symptoms between two group.
CONCLUSION
Based on the finding of this study, it is needed nursing intervention for strengthening realistic optimism for helping university students cope with stress and health.
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