Factors that affect levels of alexithymia, empathy and communication skills of nursing students in northern Iran

AIM: The inability of nurses to express their own emotions, understand others' emotions and show empathy could result in communication gaps that could affect patient care outcomes. This study investigates the factors associated with the levels of alexithymia, empathy and communication skills among nursing students. DESIGN: A survey was conducted among 365 nursing students, and data were collected using an online questionnaire. METHODS: Data analyses were done using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: There was a significant positive association between age and empathy and a negative association between the number of times a nurse took the entrance exam. The level of education and interest in nursing correlate with communication skills. All the predictor variables of alexithymia in this current study were not significant. Emphasis should be placed on improving nursing students' empathy and communication skills. Student nurses should be taught how to recognize and express their emotions. To assess their mental health, they must be screened regularly.