Action Research to Overcome the Stress Caused by the Combination of Academic and Work Life of Korean Early Childhood Education Doctoral Students

Abstract

The purpose of this action study is to take a closer look at the factors of stress with doctoral students majoring in
early childhood education and to identify changes through the process of overcoming them. As a starting point, in
order to do that, two Korean doctoral students (Park, Joo-yeon and Kwak, Ji-min) majoring in early childhood
education were selected, one is a nursery director and the other is a college lecturer. In - depth interviews, journal
writing, and quantitative analysis were used as data collection methods. Park Joo-yeon has chosen internal resource
to get up early in the morning to study for classes and to exercise. Kwak, Ji-min has chosen internal resource to
travel, study in café, and to exercise. Park, Joo-yeon chose two methods as external resources. One pointed out
emotional support as a warm word of comfort and encouragement, and the other pointed out physical support to
reduce household chores through sharing with her husband. On the other hand, Kwak, Ji-min did not choose external
resources. One conclusion we can draw from this process was that not only two doctoral students' stress and stress
response were alleviated but also overcoming power increased through the process of overcoming them. Proceeding
from this fact, we could logically assume that overcoming power were effective in individual ability and acceptance
of life.