J Korean Acad Soc Nurs Educ.  2020 Nov;26(4):348-356. 10.5977/jkasne.2020.26.4.348.

The effects of empathy and self concept on problem solving: Focusing on the mediating effect of communication of nursing students

• Hwang YH
• Park SJ

• KMID: 2511045
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5977/jkasne.2020.26.4.348

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to identify the effect of nursing students' empathy and self-esteem on problem-solving ability through the mediated effect of communication skills.
Methods
Data were collected from 179 nursing students between 1 October and 30 October, 2018 from three universities in Gyeonggi-Do. Data on subjects’ general characteristics, empathy, self-esteem, communication skills, and problem solving ability were collected using a structured self-reporting questionnaire.
Results
Of the total subjects, 89.9% were female. The subjects' empathy was 3.40±0.36, self-esteem was 3.16±0.56, communication skills was 3.65±0.48, and problem-solving ability was 3.52±0.42. Communication skills showed a partial mediating effect on the relationship between empathy and problem solving ability. Communication skills also showed a partial mediating effect on the relationship between self-esteem and problem solving ability.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that it will be more effective to develop strategies that can improve empathy, self-esteem, and communication skills together when developing programs that improve problem-solving ability.

Keyword

Empathy; Self concept; Problem solving; Communication; 공감; 자아존중감; 문제해결; 의사소통