The effect of the perception for importance of communication and communication self-efficacy on empathy ability

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of perception for importance of communication and communication self-efficacy on empathy ability of nursing college students. Methods : Data were collected from November 1, 2018 to December 20, 2018. 105 nursing students who lived in the G city were recruited. 94 among 105 questionnaires answered were used for final analysis. It was then analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, one way ANOVA, pearson’s correlation and multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 21.0 Results : The participants’ empathy ability and perception for importance of communication proved to have positive relationship(r＝.60, p＜.001). The participants’ empathy ability also had the positive relationship with communication self-efficacy(r＝.55, p＜.001). The research shows that the perception for importance of communication(β＝.42, p＜.001), communication self-efficacy(β＝.33, p＜.001) can determine empathy ability to a degree of 46.3%. Conclusion : It is necessary that empathy ability should be enhanced referring to perception for importance of communication and communication self-efficacy in nursing communication education.