PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL AS A PREDICTOR OF COMPASSION COMPETENCE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG NURSES IN TÜRKİYE

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Şenel Tekin P., Kuzu Durmaz A., Ünlüsoy Dinçer N.

İş Güç, Endüstri İlişkileri ve İnsan Kaynakları Dergisi, cilt.28, sa.1, ss.46-63, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

Objective: Compassion competence is increasingly regarded as a work-related capability that supports high-

quality interpersonal care, particularly in emotionally demanding service settings. Psychological capital,

comprising hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism, may provide an important personal resource for

sustaining compassionate responses at work. This study aimed to examine whether psychological capital

predicts compassion competence among nurses in Türkiye. Method: This study employed a cross-sectional and

correlational research design. The sample consisted of 1,100 nurses working in public hospitals in Türkiye who

voluntarily participated between November 1 and December 30, 2021. Data were collected using a demographic

and work-related variables form, the Compassion Competence Scale, and the Psychological Capital

Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and scale scores. Group

comparisons were conducted according to demographic and work-related variables using Student’s t-test and

one-way analysis of variance. Pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regression analysis were used to

examine the relationship between psychological capital and compassion competence. Results: Psychological

capital was positively associated with compassion competence and its subdimensions. The regression analysis

showed that psychological capital significantly predicted compassion competence, explaining 21.8% of the

variance. A one-point increase in psychological capital was associated with a 0.194-point increase in

compassion competence. Conclusion: The findings suggest that psychological capital may be an important

developable personal resource for strengthening compassion competence among nurses. By linking

psychological capital with compassion competence, this study contributes to the positive organizational

behavior and healthcare workforce literature. Interventions aimed at developing hope, self-efficacy, resilience,

and optimism may support compassionate and patient-centered care, particularly in demanding healthcare work

environments.

Keywords: Compassion competence, psychological capital, positive organizational behavior, nurses, Türkiye