Relationship between Empathy and Spiritual Attitude among Nursing Students in Tehran

Empathy is considered an essential prerequisite for a nurse to effectively care for a patient. Also, spirituality is an important component in nurse-patient relationships. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between empathy and spiritual attitude among nursing students. In this descriptive and correlation study, the samples consisted of 272 nursing students that were studying in 3 Medical Sciences Universities in Tehran, 2017. Samples were selected through convenience sampling method. Data were collected by demographics’ data form, validated and reliable scales of empathy and spiritual attitude. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical (Pearson Coefficient, Independent T test, and ANOVA) statistics. The students had a mean empathy score of 106.982 ± 14.65 that this was more than median scores of scale (60). Furthermore, they had a spiritual attitude score of 115.79 ± 15.8 that this was more than median scores of scale (86). Findings indicated that a significant relationship between empathy and spiritual attitude among nursing students (r=.265, p=.0001). Gender, educational level, interest in nursing, work status, and the average score of the previous term had significant relationships with empathy (P < 0.05). Interest in nursing and work status had significant relationships with spiritual attitude (P < 0.05).Research findings support the hypothesis of association between empathy and spiritual attitude. Since empathy has a significant relationship with spiritual attitude, it seems that nursing students’ empathy will increase by promoting their spiritual attitude.