Gender, empathy, and aggressive behavior toward nurses: A moderation analysis

Background: The intersection of gender and empathy remains a pivotal focus in contemporary sociological discourse. Few studies have examined gender differences in aggressive behavior within healthcare settings. Purpose: To explore the association between empathy, feelings, thoughts, gender, and aggressive behavior toward nurses, and the role of gender in the association between empathy and aggressive behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional study utilized a self-report questionnaire (completed by 555 participants). A three-step hierarchical linear regression was conducted to assess the unique effect of the explanatory variables on aggressive behavior. Discussion: Empathy, positive feelings, and negative thoughts were found to explain aggressive behavior. Gender was a moderating factor between empathy and aggressive behavior. The effect was more pronounced among men than women as empathy increased. Conclusion: Empathy is a crucial buffer against aggressiveness, with a strong effect among men. Intervention programs may benefit from boosting empathic competencies that address gender-related differences in socialization and emotional expression.