Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the influences of ego states and life positions on empathy in nursing students. A descriptive survey study conducted visit-surveys with questionnaires and sampled 204 female nursing students in Daejeon, and Chungnam. Korean version of Ego-OKgram, Empathy scale was used. Data was analyzed by ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 18.0. The results of this study are following. Nursing Students' Ego-OKgram showed M-type pattern with peaked NP ego state and (I＋U＋)pattern with positive attitude toward self and others. The degree of empathy according to leading pattern of ego states were significantly different in NP and CP, FC, AC ego state. And the degree of empathy according to compounding life positions were significantly different in positive attitude toward others (I＋U＋, I−U＋) and negative attitude toward others (I＋U−, I−U−). In addition, the empathy level positively correlated with NP ego state, positive attitude toward self and others, and negatively correlated with negative attitude toward self and others. Multiple regression analysis showed NP ego state, positive attitude toward others (U＋), negative attitude toward others (U−) significantly influenced empathy level. The findings suggest that nursing educators and health professionals, while understanding the students, developing and providing the empathy training program need to be aware of the ego states and life positions in nursing students. (Korean J Str Res 2012;20:113∼122)

• Keywords: Empathy, Transactional analysis, Ego states, Life positions;