The mediating role of empathy in the association between interpersonal communication competence and attitudes toward disability in higher education
- 1Special Education Department, Fatih Faculty of Education, Trabzon University, Trabzon, Turkey
- 2Special Education Department, Faculty of Education, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
Abstract
Developing positive attitudes toward people with disabilities is crucial for social equality and integration. This study examines the relationship between university students’ attitudes toward people with disabilities, their empathy levels, and their interpersonal communication competence, with a focus on the mediating role of empathy. Data from 587 students were collected using a cross-sectional survey design and analyzed using correlation analysis and path analysis–based mediation modeling. The findings indicate that higher empathy and communication competence are associated with more positive attitudes and lower levels of prejudice. Empathy partially mediated the association between communication competence and egalitarian attitudes, whereas the indirect association between communication competence and prejudiced attitudes was not statistically significant. In addition, demographic factors such as gender and age were associated with attitudes, with female students reporting more positive views. These results underline the relevance of empathy and communication skills for inclusive attitudes and suggest that higher education institutions may consider policies that strengthen these competencies. Overall, this study contributes to understanding how empathy and communication are associated with disability-related attitudes in higher education.
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BibTeX
@article{dada2026mediating,
title = {{The mediating role of empathy in the association between interpersonal communication competence and attitudes toward disability in higher education}},
author = {Şenay Delimehmet Dada and Adile Emel Sardohan Yıldırım},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0358732},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358732},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The mediating role of empathy in the association between interpersonal communication competence and attitudes toward disability in higher education
AU - Şenay Delimehmet Dada
AU - Adile Emel Sardohan Yıldırım
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0358732
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0358732
AB - Developing positive attitudes toward people with disabilities is crucial for social equality and integration. This study examines the relationship between university students’ attitudes toward people with disabilities, their empathy levels, and their interpersonal communication competence, with a focus on the mediating role of empathy. Data from 587 students were collected using a cross-sectional survey design and analyzed using correlation analysis and path analysis–based mediation modeling. The findings indicate that higher empathy and communication competence are associated with more positive attitudes and lower levels of prejudice. Empathy partially mediated the association between communication competence and egalitarian attitudes, whereas the indirect association between communication competence and prejudiced attitudes was not statistically significant. In addition, demographic factors such as gender and age were associated with attitudes, with female students reporting more positive views. These results underline the relevance of empathy and communication skills for inclusive attitudes and suggest that higher education institutions may consider policies that strengthen these competencies. Overall, this study contributes to understanding how empathy and communication are associated with disability-related attitudes in higher education.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -