Effects on Critical Thinking Disposition and Empathy on Cultural Competency in Nursing Students

Song, Eun Ju; Yang, Ya Ki; Park, Sook Kyoung

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of critical thinking disposition and empathy on cultural competency in nursing students.
METHODS
The participants were 199 nursing students from D, H, and W universities in J province. Data were collected from April 1 to May 30, 2016, and analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0.
RESULTS
The mean score for critical thinking disposition was 3.53±0.37, for empathy, 3.73±0.33, and for cultural competency, 3.23±0.40. Critical thinking disposition showed a positive correlation with cultural competency (r=.32, p<.001) and empathy showed a positive correlation with cultural competency (r=.31, p<.001). Critical thinking disposition showed a positive correlation with empathy (r=.36, p<.001). Significant factors that influenced cultural competency were critical thinking disposition, empathy, foreign residents in the family, and participating in cultural education. These variables explained 18% of cultural competency.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate that critical thinking disposition and empathy enhancement programs should be developed to increase cultural competency in nursing students. There is also a need for further studies to examine effects of developed programs.