Ezgi Kınıcı Dirik, Berna Aksoy Kahraman, Eylem Paslı Gürdoğan, Burcu Uslu
Mediterranean Nursing and Midwifery - 2026;6(1):37-43
Background: Determining the effect of nursing students' empathy levels on their perceptions of caring behavior. Methods: An online descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with second, third, and fourth year nursing students who participated in clinical practice, volunteered to participate in the study, and filled out the questionnaire forms completely (n = 311). Data were collected using the student information form, "Basic Empathy Scale," and "Caring Assessment Questionnaire." The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results: Concerning students' mean scores on the Caring Assessment Questionnaire and Basic Empathy Scale, the mean score on the Caring Assessment Questionnaire was 5.40 +/- 0.7, and the mean score on the Basic Empathy Scale was 76.82 +/- 9.24. In the multiple linear regression, the Basic Empathy Scale total, the status of choosing nursing because of regarding it as a suitable profession for themselves, putting themselves in patients' shoes most of the time, thinking that the care provided in the clinic was at a good level, and the number of siblings were factors that contributed to the Caring Assessment Questionnaire scores (P < .05). Conclusion: It was found that the students' cognitive, affective, and overall empathy levels were moderately high, and their caring behavior scores were high. The nursing students with high empathy levels also had high caring behavior scores. It is recommended that courses that can improve students' caring behaviors and empathy skills be included in the undergraduate education curriculum.
