earticle

영어

Background: To explore the empathic abilities, communication competence, and attitudes toward the disabled, and to identify the relationship between these variables among female dental hygiene students. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 190 female students in their second and third year of study at the dental hygiene department of a university located in Gyeongsangnam-do province, South Korea, from September 2–11, 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression using SPSS 20.0. Results: The participants’ scores for empathic abilities, communication competence, and attitudes toward the disabled were 3.63, 3.69, and 3.54 points, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between empathic abilities and attitudes toward the disabled. Regarding the sub-elements of empathic abilities, the participants’ attitudes toward the disabled had a significant positive correlation with the scales measuring their perspective-taking abilities and personal distress (p<.05). A positive correlation (p<.05) was observed between communication competence and attitudes toward the disabled. The students’ attitudes toward the disabled were significantly influenced by the scale measuring their perspective-taking abilities (B=.210); those with a higher perspective-taking ability displayed more positive attitudes toward the disabled. Conclusion: Female dental hygiene students showed empathic abilities, which positively influenced their attitudes toward the disabled. Positive attitudes toward the disabled can contribute to improving the quality of medical services.