The Effects of Empathy on Interpersonal Relationship through the Mediating Effect of Ego-resilience in Nursing Students

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study was performed to investigate the effects of empathy on interpersonal relationships through the mediating effect of ego-resilience in nursing students. METHODS: Data were collected from June 5 to 30, 2018 using a self-report questionnaire measuring empathy, interpersonal relationships and ego-resilience. The sample was 204 nursing college students. SPSS WIN 23.0 programs were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Ego-resilience was positively related to empathy (r=.37, p < .001) and interpersonal relationships (r=.36, p < .001) and empathy was positively related to interpersonal relationships (r=.37, p < .001). Regression analysis showed that ego-resilience was affected by empathy (β=0.37, p < .001), interpersonal relationships were affected by empathy (β=0.37, p < .001). Interpersonal relationships were affected by empathy (β=0.28, p < .001) and ego-resilience (β=0.26, p < .001). Therefore ego-resilience mediates between empathy and interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop an effective intervention program to improve nursing students' empathy and ego-resilience.