An observational study on empathy and factors associated with individual variations in empathy levels among youth in Central Kerala

Abstract

Background: Empathy is a social skill that exerts influence on the quality of social relationships. The importance of being empathetic is not only limited to the health care field. An empathetic person is able to understand the emotions of others, accurately express their feelings, comprehend others’ situations and act appropriately. According to the census data of 2011, one-fifth of India’s population is made up of the youth. Added to the volatile nature of the age, our youth face challenges from social exclusion, gender-based violence, and the lack of access to rights and opportunities. Aim: The aim of the study is to measure empathy levels among young adults aged 19–24 years in Central Kerala and to find out the factors associated with individual variations in empathy levels among them. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 610 young adults of both gender in Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Trivandrum districts in South-central Kerala. Results: Good academic performance among study participants was found to be significantly associated with fantasy scale. The personal distress scale among study participants was found to be significantly associated with burnout, medical stream, and involvement in humanitarian acts. Burnout scores of study participants were found to be inversely correlated with fantasy scale, empathic concern, personal distress, and the combined interpersonal reactivity index. Conclusion: The present study sheds light on the prevalence of empathy and humanistic values among the youth in Kerala.