Mindfulness predicts student nurses' communication self-efficacy: A cross-national comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare student nurses' communication self-efficacy, empathy, and mindfulness across two countries, and to analyse the relationship between these qualities.


METHODS
The study had a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from final year student nurses in Norway and Sweden. Communication self-efficacy, empathy, and mindfulness were reported by questionnaires; Clear-cut communication with patients, Jefferson Scale of Empathy, and Langer 14 items mindfulness scale.


RESULTS
The study included 156 student nurses, 94 (60%) were Swedish. The mean communication self-efficacy score was 119 (95% CI 116-122), empathy score 115 (95% CI 113-117) and mindfulness score 79 (95% CI 78-81). A Mann-Whitney test showed that Swedish students scored significantly higher on communication self-efficacy, empathy, and mindfulness than Norwegian students did. When adjusted for age, gender, and country in a multiple linear regression, mindfulness was the only independent predictor of communication self-efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
The Swedish student nurses in this study scored higher on communication self-efficacy, empathy, and mindfulness than Norwegian students did. Student nurses scoring high on mindfulness rated their communication self-efficacy higher.


CONCLUSIONS
A mindful learning approach may improve communication self-efficacy and possibly the effect of communication skills training.
National Centre for Optics, Vision and Eye Care, Department of Optometry, Radiography and Lighting Design, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Kongsberg, Norway; Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Drammen Norway; Science Center Health and Technology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Drammen, Norway. Electronic address: vibeke.sundling@usn.no.
Vibeke
V
Sundling
Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Sweden.
Annelie J
AJ
Sundler
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Sweden; Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Inger K
IK
Holmström
Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Drammen Norway.
Dorte Vesterager
DV
Kristensen
Science Center Health and Technology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Drammen, Norway; Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Drammen Norway.
Hilde
H
Eide
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D009664:Norway; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
Communication self-efficacy; Education; Empathy; Mindfulness; Student nurse