The Relationship Between Midwives' Compassion and Empathy Levels and Their Bereavement Care Competence

To examine the relationship between midwives' compassion and empathy levels and their competence in perinatal bereavement care.

This descriptive, correlational study was conducted online between May and July 2025 in Türkiye. The sample comprised 307 midwives working in obstetrics and gynaecology clinics who had provided care to women experiencing perinatal loss. Data were collected using the Midwife Descriptive Characteristics Form, Compassion Scale, Midwifery Empathy Scale, and Perinatal Bereavement Care Competence Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric tests, correlation analyses, and regression analyses.

The participants' mean age was 34.2 ± 7.6 years. Mean total scores were 98.37 ± 12.02 for compassion, 31.68 ± 9.04 for empathy, and 87.98 ± 11.23 for perinatal bereavement care competence. Midwives who had received perinatal bereavement care training had higher compassion and bereavement care competence scores. Compassion was positively correlated with perinatal bereavement care competence (r = 0.313, p < 0.01), whereas empathy was negatively correlated with perinatal bereavement care competence (r = -0.300, p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that perinatal bereavement care competence positively predicted compassion (β = 0.158, p = 0.003).

Midwives had moderate-to-high levels of compassion, empathy, and perinatal bereavement care competence. Strengthening bereavement care education and supportive clinical practices may enhance compassionate care in perinatal loss settings.