공과대학 여학생의 전공만족과 심리적 안녕감과의 관계 탐색

Exploring the Relationships between Major Satisfaction and Psychological Well-being of Female Engineering Students

This research aims to examine the relationship between major satisfaction and psychological well-being of female engineering students. To achieve this goal, first, differences in major satisfaction and psychological well-being among engineering students were examined. Second, differences in major satisfaction and psychological well-being among female undergraduate students were investigated. In addition, the effects of psychological well-being, as perceived by undergraduate students by gender and major, on major satisfaction were explored. A total of three hundred and forty-nine (349) undergraduate students from two universities in Korea responded to survey based on a two-variables scale. The findings were that, firstly, male engineering students scored higher in two variables including their most sub-factors, and that gender differences in relation satisfaction as well as positive relationship with others, autonomy, and environmental mastery were statistically significant. Secondly, female engineering students scored higher in major satisfaction and several sub-factors of two variables, and that major differences in major satisfaction (total), social perception satisfaction, and autonomy – a sub-factor of psychological well-being - were statistically significant. Thirdly, a positive correlation among major satisfaction and psychological well-being was identified. Finally, psychological well-being could explain about 19% of major satisfaction. The practical implications of these findings are discussed herein, with attention on education for promotion of major satisfaction.