Can Empathy Help Individuals and Society? Through the Lens of Volunteering and Mental Health

(1) Background: Empathy affects an individual’s decision to participate in volunteering, and volunteering, in turn, influences mental health. Intriguingly, studies have been limited in exploring underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions for the relationship between empathy and mental health. Furthermore, volunteering studies have overlooked the multi-dimensionality of empathy. Therefore, this study seeks to contribute to extant literature by investigating the mediating effect of volunteering for the relationships between cognitive and affective empathy and mental health and the moderating effect of gender for the relationship between empathy and volunteering. (2) Methods; Data were collected using a survey in South Korea and consisted of 301 full-time employees who voluntarily engaged in their corporate volunteer programs. Furthermore, they voluntarily participated in the study. The hypotheses were tested with path analysis and a group comparison was also conducted. (3) Results: Volunteering was found to mediate the relationships between cognitive empathy and affective empathy with mental health. In addition, gender moderated the relationship between empathy and volunteering. (4) Conclusions: As the study found empathy to increase individuals’ engaging in volunteering activities which then improved mental health, the study supports extant theoretical frameworks on empathy and volunteering. Moreover, the study found gender differences on empathy and volunteering; thereby supporting and contributing to extant literature.

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The Role of Volunteer Participation and Person-Organization Fit in the Relationship between Motives and Psychological Well-Being

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12010330 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 330

Author(s):

Yang Woon Chung ◽

Seunghee Im ◽

Jung Eun Kim

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Full Time ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Employee Volunteering ◽

Volunteer Participation ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Person Organization Fit ◽

The Relationship

(1) Background: Studies have been limited in explaining how volunteering acts as underlying mechanisms that associate the antecedents and outcomes of volunteering. This study aims to investigate whether volunteer participation mediates the relationship between motives (self-oriented and other-oriented) and psychological well-being, and further whether person-organizational (PO)-fit moderates the relationship between motives and volunteer participation. (2) Methods: Data were collected from full-time employees in organizations in South Korea using a self-administered instrument. To test the hypotheses, hierarchical regression analyses and path analyses were conducted. (3) Results: Volunteer participation showed a significant mediating effect only for the relationship between other-oriented motives and psychological well-being. PO fit showed a significant moderating role, and further analysis revealed that the mediated moderation of PO-fit was significant. (4) Conclusions: Results suggest that employees with other-oriented motives and PO fit were more likely to participate in volunteer activities, which then increased one’s psychological well-being. Findings provide insights for HR practitioners regarding employee volunteering programs.

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The Gratitude Mediates the Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Empathy Among Medical Students

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1072627/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ying Zhang ◽

Yang Ou ◽

Yanna Ren

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Descriptive Analysis ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Cognitive Empathy ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Reactivity Index ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Affective Empathy ◽

Professional Fulfillment ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background: One of the important parts of medical students' competence is empathy, which is believed to significantly influence patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and the sense of professional fulfillment. Objective: This study explored the potential mediating effect of gratitude on the relationship between self-esteem, cognitive empathy, and affective empathy, which may provide fundamental data for educational programs aiming to promote cognitive empathy and affective empathy. Design: The paper surveyed a total of 344 medical students with the Self-Esteem Scale, Gratitude Questionnaire-6, and the Chinese version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index Scale. It uses descriptive analysis to determine the levels of self-esteem, gratitude, and empathy, and Pearson’s correlation to analyze correlations between them. It also conducts the pathway analysis with the equipment of structured equation modeling to test the mediating effect of gratitude on the association between self-esteem and empathy. Results: A total of 306 (88.95%) medical students completed the survey. It finds that, first, the levels of self-esteem, gratitude, cognitive empathy, and affective empathy are significantly correlated. Second, self-esteem has a direct, positive effect on cognitive empathy and affective empathy. Third, gratitude has a mediating role between self-esteem, cognitive empathy [b self-esteem - gratitude - cognitive empathy = 0.072, 95% CI = (0.013 to 0.131), p< 0.05], and affective empathy [bself-esteem - gratitude - affective empathy = 0.241, 95% CI = (0.018 to 0.134), p< 0.001]. Conclusion: Based on the role of self-esteem and gratitude in predicting cognitive empathy and affective empathy, this model can be used in the practice of clinical education to promote cognitive empathy and affective empathy in medical students.

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The Mediating Effect of Language on the Development of Cognitive and Affective Theory of Mind

10.31234/osf.io/uxhg4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Felicity J Bigelow ◽

Gillian M Clark ◽

Jarrad Lum ◽

Peter Gregory Enticott

Keyword(s):

Theory Of Mind ◽

Social Functioning ◽

Middle Childhood ◽

Cognitive Empathy ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Language Abilities ◽

Language Assessments ◽

Empathic Ability ◽

The Relationship

Theory of mind (ToM) development is critical to effective social functioning and appears to depend on complementary language abilities. The current study explored the mediating influence of language on the development of cognitive and affective ToM. 151 children aged between 5-12 years completed ToM (cognitive and affective) and language assessments, and parents provided ratings of their child’s empathic ability. Results showed that language mediated the relationship between age and both cognitive and affective ToM, but not parent-reported cognitive empathy. Examination of younger and older subgroups revealed that language mediated cognitive and affective ToM differently across developmental periods. Findings highlight the dynamic role that language plays in the development of both cognitive and affective ToM throughout early and middle childhood.

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Social comparison orientation and mental health: The mediating role of psychological capital

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.9767 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Guoliang Yang ◽

Zhihua Wang ◽

Weijiong Wu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Comparison ◽

Psychological Capital ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Mediating Role ◽

The Social ◽

Social Comparison Orientation ◽

Using Data ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Little is known about the relationship between social comparison orientation and mental health, especially in the psychological capital context. We proposed a theoretical model to examine the impact of ability- and opinion-based social comparison orientation on mental health using data from 304 undergraduates. We also examined the mediating effect of the four psychological capital components of hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism in the relationship between social comparison orientation and mental health. Results show that an ability (vs. opinion) social comparison orientation was negatively (vs. positively) related to the psychological capital components. Further, the resilience and optimism components of psychological capital fully mediated the social comparison orientation–mental health relationship. Our findings indicate that psychological capital should be considered in the promotion of mental health, and that the two social comparison orientation types have opposite effects on psychological capital.

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Urban Homeownership and Mental Health: Mediating Effect of Perceived Sense of Control

City and Community ◽

10.1111/j.1540-6040.2012.01415.x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 409-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Kim R. Manturuk

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Low Income ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Regression Models ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Sense Of Control ◽

Using Data ◽

The Relationship ◽

Subjective Trust ◽

Control Part

What are the mechanisms responsible for homeowners’ better mental health? Social disorganization theory suggests that the relationship between homeownership and mental health is mediated by perceived sense of control, trust in neighbors, and residential stability. This hypothesis is tested using data collected from respondents in 30 low–wealth urban areas. Using propensity score matching and regression models, I find that low–income homeowners report a greater sense of control and trust in their neighbors than comparable renters. Homeownership likewise has an impact on mental health, but the effect is entirely mediated by perceived sense of control. Part of that mediating effect is related to avoiding serious delinquency in mortgage payments. However, subjective trust and residential mobility did not mediate the relationship between homeownership and mental health. The study findings are discussed in light of the need for a cohesive theory of homeownership, particularly given changing economic realities.

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Transactional leadership and dynamic capabilities: the mediating effect of regulatory focus

Management Decision ◽

10.1108/md-11-2017-1151 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 57 (9) ◽

pp. 2284-2306 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Feng Xu ◽

Xiaohong Wang

Keyword(s):

Transactional Leadership ◽

Regulatory Focus ◽

Dynamic Capabilities ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Full Time ◽

Promotion Focus ◽

Content Type ◽

Collaborative Innovation ◽

Different Dimensions ◽

The Relationship

Purpose The mechanism of leadership’s impact on dynamic capabilities has aroused widespread interest, but few studies focus on transactional leadership, especially empirical research by micro foundations in the R&D departments from collaborative innovation alliances. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the mechanism of transactional leadership affects dynamic capabilities based on the mediating effect of regulatory focus. Design/methodology/approach In order to better illustrate the role of transactional leadership on dynamic capabilities, the authors introduced regulatory focus as a mediator based on previous research. A sample of 245 dyads comprised of full-time employees and their immediate supervisors was collected from the innovation teams of industry-university alliances through questionnaires in China and analyzed via hierarchical regression method. Non-response bias and endogeneity testing were also conducted to confirm the validity of the findings. Findings Contingency-reward behavior promotes the development of employee sensing and seizing capability. Management-by-exception promotes the development of employee reconfiguration capability. Promotion focus positively mediates the relationship between contingency-reward and sensing-seizing capability. Prevention focus positively mediates the relationship between management-by-exception and sensing-seizing capability. In addition, management-by-exception is also positively related to sensing capability and promotion focus is positively related to reconfiguration capability. Originality/value This paper confirmed different dimensions of transactional leadership favor different dimensions of dynamic capabilities based on different dimensions of regulatory focus, which enriches the theory of strategic leadership and dynamic capabilities, and is conducive to the management of collaborative innovation in technological innovation alliances.

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Relationships Among the Internal Health Locus of Control, Mental Health Problems, and Subjective Well-Being of Adults in South Korea

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9111588 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1588

Author(s):

Sunhwa Shin ◽

Eunhye Lee

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Locus Of Control ◽

South Korea ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Locus Of Control ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to confirm the relationship between internal health locus of control, mental health problems, and subjective well-being in adults during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the mediating effect of mental health problems on the relationship between internal health locus of control and subjective well-being was examined. A cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted via online survey. The participants were 600 adults over 20 years of age living in South Korea. The collected data were analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis and SPSS Process Macro (Model 4). As a result of the study, the internal health locus of control had a significant negative effect on mental health problems. In addition, in the process of the internal health locus of control affecting subjective well-being, the mediating effect of mental health problems was significantly shown. In the period of an infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19, it is necessary to establish a strong internal health locus of control of individuals and to promote monitoring and treatment introduction for those with a low internal health locus of control. In addition, it was discussed that controlling mental health problems can improve subjective well-being, which is life satisfaction and happiness.

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Trauma and Mental Health in Resettled Refugees: Mediating Effect of Host Language Acquisition on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms

Transcultural Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1363461518789538 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 3-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Dzenana Kartal ◽

Nathan Alkemade ◽

Litza Kiropoulos

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Language Acquisition ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Community Sample ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Indirect Pathway ◽

Traumatic Exposure ◽

The Relationship

This study examined the relationship between traumatic exposure, host language acquisition and mental health (posttraumatic stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms) in long-term resettled refugees. Participants included a community sample of Bosnian refugees ( N = 138, 55% male, mean age of 40 years old) that had resettled in Australia and Austria on average 18 years prior. Two mediation models were tested based on two competing theories. Model A examined whether language acquisition mediates the relationship between traumatic exposure and mental health problems experienced by refugees. Model B examined whether mental health symptoms mediate the relationship between exposure to traumatic events and the acquisition of host language. Model A fit the data well (CFI = 1.00, SRMR = .017, RMSEA < .001, χ2 p = .526), while Model B was rejected as an acceptable model for the data (CFI = .556, SRMR = .136, RMSEA = .352). In Model A, the indirect pathway from trauma to mental health via language acquisition was significant for PTSD ( β = .067, p = .028) and anxiety symptoms ( β = .063, p = .026) but not depression symptoms ( β = .048, p = .071). Intervention strategies aimed at improving host language acquisition may be important not only in successful adaptation to daily living in the host country, but also to improve the mental health of traumatized refugees.

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The Relationship between Resilience and Mental Health: the Mediating Effect of Positive Emotions

Applied Science and Innovative Research ◽

10.22158/asir.v2n3p87 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 87

Author(s):

Zhun Gong ◽

Lichao Yu ◽

Jonathan W Schooler

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

To investigate the relationship of resilience, positive emotions and mental health, and the relationship of resilience, positive emotion and three sub-dimensions of mental health: self-affirmation, depression and anxiety. In this study, the existing cross-sectional data, select the Beijing Forestry University data as samples. In this study, questionnaire survey a random sample of 199 undergraduate students of Beijing Forestry University, they uniform application three Scale Surveying, PANAS, CD-RISC, GHQ-20. According from the study, (1) resilience, positive mood and general health are related where resilience and positive emotions between the resilience. General psychological health, positive emotions and general mental health?it is positively correlated. (2) Resilience and self-affirmation exists, positive correlation with depression and anxiety, respectively negative correlation. Between positive emotions and self-affirmation the positive correlation with anxiety negative correlation. (3) Part mediating effect of positive emotions exist between resilience and self-affirmation, resilience can be made to self-affirmation prediction coefficient from 0.042 down to 0.036. Therefore, this study concluded that resilience undergraduates can have an impact on mental health through the intermediary variable positive emotions.

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Moral Sensitivity, Empathy and Prosocial Behavior: Implications for Humanization of Nursing Care

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17238914 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (23) ◽

pp. 8914

Author(s):

Iván Suazo ◽

María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes ◽

María del Mar Molero Jurado ◽

África Martos Martínez ◽

María del Mar Simón Márquez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prosocial Behavior ◽

Cognitive Empathy ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Affective Empathy ◽

Moral Sensitivity ◽

Multiple Mediation ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Empathy Scale ◽

Basic Empathy Scale ◽

Mediation Models

Humanization of nursing is related to certain social and moral variables. Moral sensitivity, empathy, and prosocial behavior help understand a situation and make decisions that benefit the patient. The objective of this study is to find out how these variables are related, and define the differences in moral sensitivity, empathy, and prosocial behavior in humanization of nursing. We also analyzed the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between moral sensitivity and prosocial behavior. The sample was made up of 330 Spanish nurses aged 22 to 56, who completed the HUMAS Scale and adapted versions of the Basic Empathy Scale, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Prosocial Behavior Scale. Descriptive analyses, bivariate correlations and multiple mediation models were calculated. The results found significantly different mean scores between all the groups in responsibility and moral strength, cognitive empathy, and prosocial behavior, and in moral burden, the differences were in the high-humanization-score group compared to the low-score group. Furthermore, the mediation models showed the mediating effect of cognitive empathy between the responsibility, strength, and moral burden factors on prosocial behavior, but not of affective empathy. The study concluded that humanization in nursing is closely related to moral sensitivity, cognitive empathy, and prosocial behavior. This facilitates a helping, caring, and understanding attitude toward patient needs, but without the affective flooding that affective empathy can lead to.

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