Last update:
29-Sep-2020

OBJECTIVE Investigation of empathic capability and moral competence of nursing personnel and the influence of demographic characteristics.

METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted among the nursing personnel in a regional general hospital, using convenience sampling. The data collection was based on the questionnaires Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) to evaluate empathy, and Moral Competence Test (MCT) for assessing moral competence, along with demographic data. The main focus of the study was the scores on empathy and morality. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS), version 21.0.

RESULTS The study population comprised 103 qualified nurses and 101 nursing assistants. Their scores for cognitive empathy and empathic concern were above average, and the lowest scores were observed for personal distress. Multivariate analysis between dimensions of empathy and demographic characteristics revealed that females recorded higher scores for fantasy empathy (p=0.043) and personal distress (p=0.009), and that personal distress showed inverse correlation with the educational level. Concerning ethical competence, the C-index showed a moderate value, with the majority of participants (121/204) reporting a very low level of moral judgment. Age was inversely correlated with moral judgment capacity (p=0.012), but no correlation was observed between moral judgment capacity and the four IRI sub-scales.

CONCLUSIONS The study population of hospital nursing personnel showed a capacity for empathy that promotes altruistic behavior, and moderate moral competence. Empathy and moral competence compose the foundations for providing ethical care. Both are capabilities that can be taught, providing dual benefit, both ensuring quality care and maintaining the health of the nursing personnel.

Key words: Empathy, Ethics of care, Moral judgment, Nurses, Values.