The mediating effects of self-acceptance on the relationship between empathy and interpersonal competence in nursing students

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of self-acceptance on the relationship between empathy and interpersonal competence in nursing students. Methods: This study employed a descriptive design. The participants were 157 university nursing students from three universities located in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Data were collected from October 2 to 27, 2024, using online self-reported questionnaires. Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression were used for analysis. The mediating effect was analyzed using model No. 4 with a bootstrapping method of the PROCESS macro version 4.2 in IBM SPSS 28.0. Results: There were significant positive correlations among empathy, self-acceptance, and interpersonal competence. Empathy had significant effects on self-acceptance (β=.60, <i>p</i><.001) and interpersonal competence (β=.57, <i>p</i><.001), and self-acceptance had a significant effect on interpersonal competence (β=.67, <i>p</i><.001). Regarding the influence of empathy on interpersonal competence, a significant indirect mediating effect of self-acceptance was confirmed, and the size of the indirect effect was 0.48 (95% confidence interval, 0.34~0.61). Conclusion: Self-acceptance had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between empathy and interpersonal competence. Therefore, to improve the interpersonal competence of nursing students, research is needed on the development and effectiveness of educational programs that include self-acceptance.