The effects of mindfulness-based empathy training on empathy and aged discrimination in nursing students: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the Mindfulness-Based Empathy Training (MBET) program on nursing students’ empathy and aged discrimination. This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The 123 participants were randomly allocated to either the training group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the experimental group received the MBET. No intervention was applied to the participants in the control group. “Descriptive Information Form”, “Jefferson Empathy Scale (JSENS)”, and “Age Discrimination Attitude Scale (ADAS)” were used for data collection. General Linear Model repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine the effect of the MBET on JSENS and ADAS. The analyses revealed that participants in the training group reported a significant increase in empathy level compared to the control group. No significant change in total aged discrimination scores and sub-scale of the ADAS were recorded in either group. This study indicated that empathy can be enhanced over an 8-week duration when mindfulness practices are integrated into a curriculum.