• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.328-337
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify effects of self-esteem, empathy and existential well-being on spiritual care competence in nursing students. Methods: Participants were 357 nursing students from three colleges in G metropolitan city. The survey was conducted from March 11 to April 3, 2015, with a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis with SPSS version 21.0. Results: Differences in spiritual care competence were statistically significant according to experience in providing spiritual care and recognition of need for spiritual care. There were significant differences in self-esteem, empathy and existential well-being according to satisfaction with major, satisfaction with life and recognition of the need for spiritual care. Spiritual care competence of nursing students showed a significantly positive correlation to self-esteem, empathy and existential well-being. Factors influencing spiritual care competence were recognition of need for spiritual care, self-esteem, empathy and experience in providing spiritual care, which explained about 16% of spiritual care competence. Conclusion: Results indicate the importance of developing an intervention program for nursing students to strengthen spiritual care competence through improved recognition of needs for spiritual care, self-esteem, empathy and experience in providing spiritual care.