The mediating role of empathy in the association between interpersonal communication competence and attitudes toward disability in higher education

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.