Abstract
AimOur purpose was to clarify the level and correlates of empathy and altruism in the German population during the Covid-19 pandemic.MethodsA nationally representative survey (n = 3,075) was conducted in August/September 2021. To measure empathy, a short scale based on the Interpersonality Reactivity Index (IRI; German version: Saarbrucken personality questionnaire, SPF) was used (SPF-K). Based on the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP; IPIP-5F30F-R1), the subscale altruism was used to quantify altruism.ResultsThe average altruism score was 3.3 (SD: 0.7), ranging from 1 to 5. Moreover, the average empathy score was 13.1 (SD: 2.8), ranging from 4 to 20. The level of empathy significantly differed between the subgroups. For example, high levels of empathy were identified among women (average: 13.7, SD: 2.7), individuals with children (average: 13.5, SD: 2.8), and individuals with migration background (average: 13.6, SD: 2.8). Effect sizes were mostly small. Similar differences (in terms of effect size) were identified between these groups regarding altruism. Additionally, regressions showed that higher levels of both empathy and altruism were associated with being female, younger age, having children, sports activities and having at least one chronic disease. Moreover, vaccination against Covid-19 was only associated with higher altruism, but not with higher empathy.ConclusionOur study emphasized the moderately high level of empathy and altruism in Germany during times of the pandemic. Identifying the correlates of these factors may help to address individuals with very low levels of these factors.
Highlights
Altruism generally refers to disinterestedness and selflessness [1]
Regressions showed that higher levels of both empathy and altruism were associated with being female, younger age, having children, sports activities and having at least one chronic disease
Vaccination against Covid-19 was only associated with higher altruism, but not with higher empathy
Summary
Altruism generally refers to disinterestedness and selflessness [1]. Individuals with a low level of altruism do not actively care about the well-being of others, while people with a high level of altruism put the needs of others above their own and help others. As recently shown in empirical studies, we assume that such “valuebased”(i.e., empathy and altruism) [8] motives for donating blood may be applied to wearing face masks during the current pandemic [9] and vaccination against Covid-19 [10–12]. We assume that altruism and empathy are important factors in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic (including factors such as keeping the distance and avoiding social contacts). For this reason, it is of importance to identify the level and correlates of empathy and altruism in the German population during the Covid-19 pandemic. Identifying the correlates of both factors may assist in addressing individuals with very low levels of these factors
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