Empathic Behavior in Nursing Students

Bermeo R.N.Z.; Buitrago D.F.L.; Gamarra-Moncayo J.; Reyes-Reyes F.; Reyes-Reyes A.; Díaz-Narváez V. · Salud Uninorte (2026) · DOI: 10.14482/sun.42.01.141.457

Resumen

Objective: Empathy is the intersubjective connection between nursing staff and the patient that enhances humanized patient care. Consequently, it is an important attribute that should be the subject of permanent attention in the training process of nursing students. The evaluation allows to observe and identify empathic strengths and weaknesses that subsequently allow for the adoption of a serious and responsible intervention strategy. The objective of this study is to evaluate empathic behavior based on its empathic dimensions and general empathic behavior. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional and correlational study. The population was composed of all students of the 2023 academic year. The sample (n) consisted of 618 students (59% of the total population) (N = 1043). We used the Jefferson Empathy Scale for Health Professionals. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed using the Robust Maximum Likelihood estimator. Re-liability was estimated using the omega coefficient. Results: The three-dimensional underlying measurement model for empathy is fulfilled. Internal consistency was adequate. It was observed that the dimensions of Perspective adoption had a high score, while Compassionate care and “Walking in the patient’s shoes” obtained medium values. Conclusion: The empathy of the nursing students in the study is characterized by a strong ability to cognitively interpret the emotional states of the patients. However, at the same time, they are characterized by an uncritical deficit of emotionality, that is, a diminished ability to perceive the patient’s suffering as their own and a diminished ability to penetrate the patient’s thoughts.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo