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Gepubliceerd in:

18-11-2024 | ORIGINAL PAPER

The Negative Impacts of Life Stress on Empathy for Emotions, for Music, but Not for Pain

Auteurs: Qing Zhao, Mingqi Shen, Chingting Lin, Yiming Cong, Chen Li

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 11/2024

Abstract

Objectives

Empathy is sharing and understanding others’ feelings and emotions. The stress of life seems to push people away not only from mental wellness but also from empathy for others. This notion, however, lacks empirical verification. This study aims to investigate the impact of life stress on three dimensions of empathy (viz., for physical pain, emotions, and music).

Method

Via an online survey, 619 Chinese participants were recruited from among clinical workers and the general population to complete a set of questionnaires, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI), the Empathy Quotient (EQ), the Empathy for Pain Scale (EPS), the Music Empathizing (ME) inventory, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ).

Results

Results revealed that the perceived life stress negatively predicted participants’ empathy for emotions, as well as for music, but not for physical pain. Furthermore, mediation analyses illuminated that participants’ psychological wellness (e.g., burnout and mindfulness) mediated the predictive pathway from life stress to empathy.

Conclusions

Overall, the current study revealed the subtle distinctions among the three empathy dimensions under the impacts of life stress. Moreover, the current results hinted at the potential of stress reduction (e.g., mindfulness training) in empathy promotion.

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Titel: The Negative Impacts of Life Stress on Empathy for Emotions, for Music, but Not for Pain
Auteurs: Qing Zhao
Mingqi Shen
Chingting Lin
Yiming Cong
Chen Li
Publicatiedatum: 18-11-2024
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness / Uitgave 11/2024
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-024-02464-w

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The Negative Impacts of Life Stress on Empathy for Emotions, for Music, but Not for Pain

Abstract

Objectives

Method

Results

Conclusions

Andere artikelen Uitgave 11/2024

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Relationship with Body as a Way of Responding to Systemic Privilege and Oppression: Experiences of MBSM Program Participants in India

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Abstract

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Method

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Conclusions

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