Relationship between Big five personality traits and empathy among nursing assistants trainees

Abstract

The aims of this research is to examine the relationship between big five personality traits and empathy in a sample of 320 nursing assistants trainees in the first year, in order to assess the level of their ability to adapt in the hospital environment and their capacities to link a stable relationships with patients. We used the Big Five Inventory-Fifteen (BFI-15) and the Jefferson scale of empathy. The results indicated a high level of empathy among the nursing assistants with average levels in compassionate care and Standing in the patient’s shoes. Accordingly, it was found a significant correlation between empathy and three personality traits :Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and openness. The results require the development of a training program on the emotional skills of the therapists and guide trainees in hospital services according to their personality traits.