Presentation Title
Investigating the Effects of Empathic Communication on College Student Friendship Satisfaction
Faculty Mentor
Tara Suwinyattichaiporn
Start Date
17-11-2018 1:45 PM
End Date
17-11-2018 2:00 PM
Location
C155
Session
Oral 3
Type of Presentation
Oral Talk
Subject Area
behavioral_social_sciences
Abstract
Student engagement and achievement are the most common factors in demonstrating student success in college (Mauk, 2011). Studies show that student engagement and achievement are highly connected to friendship satisfaction (Crosnoe, Cavanaugh, & Elder, Jr., 2003). This present study examined the relationships between verbal and nonverbal empathic communication and friendship satisfaction in college student. Two hypotheses were proposed in this study. H1: There is positive correlation between friendship satisfaction and verbal empathic communication between college friends. H2: There is a positive correlation between friendship satisfaction and nonverbal empathic communication between college friends. The data collected was a part of a larger study. The sample in this study is consisted of one hundred fifty one (N = 151) college students at a large University in California. The results indicate a significant relationship between friendship satisfaction and (verbal and nonverbal) empathic communication among college friends. Notably, both the hypotheses were supported with p < .001. The findings reveal that individuals who communicate empathy verbally tend to score higher in the friendship satisfaction scale. Furthermore, individuals who communicate empathy nonverbally also tend to score higher in the friendship satisfaction scale. Practical implications include, encouraging more student connection in class and on campus, as well as including empathic communication curriculum in GE communication courses. Keywords: friendship satisfaction, empathic communication, college students, correlations References Crosnoe, R., Cavanaugh, S., & Elder, Jr., G. H. (2003). Adolescent friendships as academic resources: The intersection of friendship, race, and school disadvantage. Sociological Perspectives, 46(3), 331-352. Mauk, A. J. (2011). Friendship and Student Engagement, Achievement, and Persistence in College. Florida State University Libraries.
Investigating the Effects of Empathic Communication on College Student Friendship Satisfaction
C155
Student engagement and achievement are the most common factors in demonstrating student success in college (Mauk, 2011). Studies show that student engagement and achievement are highly connected to friendship satisfaction (Crosnoe, Cavanaugh, & Elder, Jr., 2003). This present study examined the relationships between verbal and nonverbal empathic communication and friendship satisfaction in college student. Two hypotheses were proposed in this study. H1: There is positive correlation between friendship satisfaction and verbal empathic communication between college friends. H2: There is a positive correlation between friendship satisfaction and nonverbal empathic communication between college friends. The data collected was a part of a larger study. The sample in this study is consisted of one hundred fifty one (N = 151) college students at a large University in California. The results indicate a significant relationship between friendship satisfaction and (verbal and nonverbal) empathic communication among college friends. Notably, both the hypotheses were supported with p < .001. The findings reveal that individuals who communicate empathy verbally tend to score higher in the friendship satisfaction scale. Furthermore, individuals who communicate empathy nonverbally also tend to score higher in the friendship satisfaction scale. Practical implications include, encouraging more student connection in class and on campus, as well as including empathic communication curriculum in GE communication courses. Keywords: friendship satisfaction, empathic communication, college students, correlations References Crosnoe, R., Cavanaugh, S., & Elder, Jr., G. H. (2003). Adolescent friendships as academic resources: The intersection of friendship, race, and school disadvantage. Sociological Perspectives, 46(3), 331-352. Mauk, A. J. (2011). Friendship and Student Engagement, Achievement, and Persistence in College. Florida State University Libraries.