[Development and Effects of Social Learning Theory Based Eye-Health Program for Preschoolers].

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to develop an eye-health program based on social learning theory (EPST) of preschoolers and evaluate its effectiveness.

METHODS

A nonequivalent control group pre-post test design was utilized and 141 six-year-old preschoolers and their parents participated (experimental group=69, control group=72) in the study. The EPST in this study included eye-health education and eye exercises. Attention, memory, replay, motivation, reinforcement, and self-efficacy were used as interventional strategies. To examine the effectiveness of EPST, proficiency in eye-health activities, refractive power, and visual acuity were measured before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with SPSS WIN 21.0 using the Shapiro-Wilk test, χ²-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS

Following the intervention, eye-health activities, refractive power, and visual acuity significantly improved in the experimental group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that EPST is effective in improving eye-health activities, refractive power, and visual acuity in preschoolers, and its wider implementation in educational institutions will promise improved eye-health among preschoolers.