Children's empathic tendencies: Effect of perceived family relations

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of perceived family relations on children's empathic tendencies.Correlational research model was used to analyze the data. The study group was comprised of 250 children from grades 4th and 5th in primary school in the city-center of Aksaray. To gather data, “KA-Sİ Empathic Tendency Scale Child Form” and “Family Relationship Scale for Children” were conducted. Multiple regression analyses were performed to predict the determinants of children’s empathic tendencies. According to findings, supportive family relations predict cognitive and emotional empathic tendencies of children positively, while discouraging family relations predict cognitive and emotional empathic tendencies of children, negatively. This study pointed out how familial relations perceived by children affected empathic tendencies. For further studies, it can be recommended other parental factors be evaluated based on parenting socialization, practices and believes for expanding on this growing area of literature.Keywords: Empathic tendencies, perceived family relations, primary school children.