Abstract
BackgroundPrevious research has linked genomic variations of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene with individual differences in empathy. The impact of these variations on specific cognitive and emotional aspects of empathy, however, remains to be clarified.MethodsWe analysed associations of a common OXTR polymorphism (rs53576) with trait empathy in a sample of 421 blood donors (231 M, 190 F; age 18–74) using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) as an established multidimensional self-report measure of empathy.ResultsFemale sex was significantly associated with higher empathy scores in all IRI scales (p<0.001) with the exception of the cognitive perspective taking scale (p = 0.09). The overall trait empathy score was significantly associated with rs53576 (p = 0.01), with mean scores increasing from AA to GG genotypes. An analysis of the IRI subscores revealed that the polymorphism was especially associated with the emotional empathic concern scale (p = 0.02). Separate analysis of the male and female subgroup revealed a significant association of the polymorphism with female (p = 0.04), but not with male (p = 0.20) empathic concern. A comparison of effect sizes between the groups showed greater effects for women compared to men although effect size differences did not become significant in our sample.ConclusionsOur findings suggest a significant association of the rs53576 OXTR gene polymorphism with trait empathy and especially with emotional aspects of empathy. This association is possibly weaker or absent in men compared to women.
Highlights
Empathic skills and the regulation of one’s empathic responses to fellow human beings are widely recognized to be an important prerequisite of social and psychological functioning
Female sex was significantly associated with higher empathy scores in all Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) scales (p
The overall trait empathy score was significantly associated with rs53576 (p = 0.01), with mean scores increasing from AA to GG genotypes
Summary
Empathic skills and the regulation of one’s empathic responses to fellow human beings are widely recognized to be an important prerequisite of social and psychological functioning Empathic reactions to another person’s experience involve a cognitive dimension, such as seeing a situation from the other person’s perspective, and an affective dimension, enabling an individual to share to some extent the emotions of another and to feel motivated for supportive action [1]. A meta-analysis of 24 studies (n = 4955) [10] found that the GG genotype is associated with more general sociality, including traits such as extraversion, trust and empathy, compared to the GA and AA genotypes The impact of these variants on specific cognitive and emotional aspects of empathy, remains to be clarified. Previous research has linked genomic variations of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene with individual differences in empathy The impact of these variations on specific cognitive and emotional aspects of empathy, remains to be clarified
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