Table 2 Demographic group differences in the subscales of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in oncology nurses, Tehran, Iran (N = 181)

Perspective Taking

Marital Status^b

Married

18.0 ± 3.8

0.007

Single

16.1 ± 4.9

Work experience in oncology field (year)^a

<1

19.5 ± 3.1

0.001

1–4

16.4 ± 4.1

≥5

18.0 ± 4.2

Shift work status^b

Fixed shift

18.2 ± 3.6

0.036

Rotating shift

16.9 ± 4.5

Job title^b

Nurse

17.3 ± 4.1

0.001

Head nurse

20.3 ± 2.9

Fantasy

Work experience in oncology field (year)^a

<1

14.0 ± 5.0

0.001

1–4

10.5 ± 6.0

≥5

9.6 ± 4.4

Chronic disease^b

Yes

15.0 ± 4.7

0.001

No

10.3 ± 5.4

Empathic concern

Age (year)^a

20–30

17.5 ± 6.8

0.001

31–41

21.6 ± 5.3

≥42

21.4 ± 3.7

Sex^b

Male

19.0 ± 2.6

0.031

Female

20.7 ± 6.0

Marital Status^b

Married

21.4 ± 5.5

0.001

Single

17.1 ± 5.6

Work experience in nursing (year)^a

<1

20.6 ± 6.0

0.001

1–4

17.3 ± 7.1

≥5

21.5 ± 4.9

Shift work status^b

Fixed shift

22.0 ± 4.5

0.001

Rotating shift

18.7 ± 6.5

Type of hospital ward^a

Oncology

20.4 ± 5.5

0.037

Hematology

22.1 ± 6.0

Stem cell transplantation

18.1 ± 6.0

Having children^b

Yes

23.0 ± 5.0

0.001

No

19.0 ± 5.7

Personal Distress

Marital Status^b

Married

14.6 ± 4.3

0.001

Single

11.9 ± 4.7

Having children^b

Yes

14.9 ± 3.5

0.034

No

13.5 ± 5.0

Chronic disease^b

Yes

16.1 ± 3.8

0.013

No

13.7 ± 4.5