The association between dispositional mindfulness and empathy among undergraduate nursing students: A multicenter cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to explore the role of gender, age, and academic year in shaping dispositional mindfulness (DM) and the association between DM facets and empathy dimensions in a sample of undergraduate nursing students. In a multicenter cross-sectional study design, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and socio-demographic questions were administrated to a convenience sample of Italian nursing students. 622 nursing students (82.2% female) participated in the study (response rate = 86.15%). Females had higher levels of Acting with Awareness ( p < .001, d = .54) and lower levels of Non-reacting ( p < .001, d = .52) facets of DM than males. Older students displayed higher scores on the Observing ( r = .112, p = .005) and on the Non-reacting ( r = .187, p < .001) FFMQ subscales than younger ones. No statistically significant differences in DM levels between the three academic years were found ( p s > .202). After controlling for socio-demographic factors, DM facets were generally positively related to Perspective Taking ( β s from .131 to .208, p s < .007) and Empathic Concern ( β s from −.156 to .189, p s < .001), whereas negatively related to Personal Distress ( β s from −.141 to −.261, p s < .001). Nursing students with higher levels of DM were more able to consider others’ cognitive perspective and to feel compassion, and were less emotionally distressed when facing tense interpersonal situations. Tailored mindfulness interventions might be useful to foster functional empathy within nursing undergraduate programs.