Abstract
Purpose: The purposes of this study were to identify the communication style and the relationship between self-esteem, interpersonal relation and communication competency in nursing students. Method: FromAugust 21 to September 22, 2009, 250 nursing students were surveyed using structured questionnaires consisting of the general characteristics, communication style by Mucchielli and Roger, self-esteem scale by Rosenberg, relationship change scale by Schiein and Guerney, and communication competency by Andrews and Culter. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression using the SPSS program. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in self-esteem score by the motivation for applying to nursing (p=.003). Positive correlations were noted between self-esteem and interpersonal relation (r=.615, p<.001), self-esteem and communication competency (r=.515, p<.001), and interpersonal relation and communication competency (r=.569, p<.001). Self-esteem (p<.001) and interpersonal relation (p<.001) were found to be related to communication competency. The most frequent communication style were F (understanding and sympathy) style and D (probing and information gathering) style. Conclusion: In order to increase nursing students' communication competency, interpersonal relation and self-esteem need to be considered. This study also suggests that college communication education needs to be systematized and needs to take nursing students' communication style into account, in order for the students to successfully perform nursing care.