Factors associated with levels of empathic tendency, compassion, and compassionate love in nursing students

In this study, it was aimed to examine the empathic tendency, compassion and compassionate love levels of nursing students and the factors affecting them. The population of the research consisted of 1044 students studying in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Nursing in the 2018-2019 academic year. The sample size calculation was made using the G-power method. The research sample consisted of 283 students in total. Research data were obtained with the Sociodemographic Information Form, Empathic Tendency Scale, Compassion Scale and Compassionate Love Scale. SPSS for Windows 25.0 program was used in the analysis of the data. Data analysis was carried out with parametric tests. T-test was used to compare two independent groups, and ANOVA was used to compare more than two groups. Pearson test was used in correlation tests. The students' Empathic Tendency Scale mean score was 67.82±7.83, the Compassion Scale mean score was 73.47±8.62, and the Compassionate Love Scale mean score was 100.19±18.95. There is a moderately positive relationship between students' empathy and compassion levels, a weak positive relationship between empathy and compassionate love levels, and a very weak positive relationship between compassion and compassionate love levels. The variables of the family type they belong to and the academic averages of the students have a significant effect on the empathic tendency levels. In addition, students' grade, gender, reason for choosing the nursing profession, empathic disposition and compassion levels have a significant effect on their levels. In addition, the variables of students' difficulties in their relationships with patients have a significant effect on students' compassion levels and compassionate love levels. The socioeconomic status of the students, the socioeconomic status of the family, and the difficulty in interpersonal relationships in daily life have a significant effect on the level of compassionate love. Determining the empathic tendency, compassion and compassionate love levels of the students during their undergraduate education and training programs that will raise awareness on these issues have been proposed.