Experience Of Empathy Research Articles

I feel your pain: higher empathy is associated with higher posterior default mode network activity

Abstract Empathy is characterized as the ability to share one's experience and is associated with altruism. Previous work using blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) has found that empathy is associated with greater activation in brain mechanisms supporting mentalizing (temporoparietal junction), salience (anterior cingulate cortex; insula), and self-reference (medial prefrontal cortex; precuneus). However, BOLD fMRI has some limitations that may not reliably capture the tonic experience of empathy. To address this, the present study used a perfusion-based arterial spin labeling fMRI approach that provides direct a quantifiable measurement of cerebral blood flow (1 mL/100 g tissue/min) and is less susceptible to low-frequency fluctuations and empathy-based “carry-over” effects that may be introduced by BOLD fMRI–based block designs. Twenty-nine healthy females (mean age = 29 years) were administered noxious heat (48°C; left forearm) during arterial spin labeling fMRI. In the next 2 fMRI scans, female volunteers viewed a stranger (laboratory technician) and their romantic partner, respectively, receive pain-evoking heat (48°C; left forearm) in real-time and positioned proximal to the scanner during fMRI acquisition. Visual analog scale (0 = “not unpleasant”; 10 = “most unpleasant sensation imaginable”) empathy ratings were collected after each condition. There was significantly (P = 0.01) higher empathy while viewing a romantic partner in pain and greater cerebral blood flow in the right temporoparietal junction, amygdala, anterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex, and precuneus when compared with the stranger. Higher empathy was associated with greater precuneus and primary visual cortical activation. The present findings indicate that brain mechanisms supporting the embodiment of another's experience is associated with higher empathy.

Experiences of empathy of caregivers caring for persons with dementia: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

The aim of this systematic review will be to explore the experiences of empathy in informal caregivers caring for persons with dementia. Positive caregiving experiences of informal caregivers caring for persons with dementia have many beneficial outcomes, such as improved well-being of both caregivers and care receivers and a higher quality of care for the persons with dementia. Empathy is a factor associated with positive caregiving experiences and is strongly correlated with reduced depression and reduced anxiety in informal caregivers of persons with dementia. Therefore, it is essential to understand the experiences of empathy, especially the caregiver characteristics such as their caring behaviors, relationship with the patient, and cultural beliefs. This review will include studies on the empathy experiences of informal caregivers caring for persons with any type of dementia. It will consider qualitative studies, including, but not limited to, designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, action research, and feminist research. This study will follow the JBI guidance for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence and will use the meta-aggregation approach to synthesise qualitative studies. The search strategy will aim to locate both published and unpublished studies in English, Chinese, and Thai, with no date restrictions. Methodological quality will be evaluated using the standard JBI critical appraisal checklist for qualitative research. The findings will be pooled using the meta-aggregation approach or will be presented in narrative format. PROSPERO CRD42023490472.

Beyond Sensory Boundaries: Innovative Applications of Synesthetic Design in Shaping Deep Brand Perceptions and Experiences

With the development of modern technology and concepts, the object of design expands from material form to non-material form, and the product modeling design gradually develops towards all-round perception and experience. Products are not only the carrier of function, but also the medium of emotional communication. In an era of information overload and short consumer attention spans, building deep and lasting brand perceptions has become a major challenge for marketers. The researcher explores the innovative application of synesthetic design principles, clarifies the role of synesthetic imagery interoperability and design expressions, constructs a design translation path of synesthetic imagery interoperability with the product as the medium and emotion as the dominant, and explores the process and verification method of the application of synesthetic imagery interoperability in the product styling design, so that synesthetic design can be used as a strategic tool that transcends the boundaries of the traditional sensory marketing, and thus cultivates deep brand experience and cognition. We use the generic design as a strategic tool to transcend the boundaries of traditional sensory marketing, thus cultivating profound brand experience and cognition. By integrating multi-sensory experiences and utilizing the inherent cross-modal correspondences between different sensory modalities, synesthetic design facilitates comprehensive and immersive brand interactions. Through a combination of theoretical exploration and empirical analysis, the researchers demonstrate how synesthetic design can significantly enhance brand memorability, differentiation and emotional resonance. It further explores how the experience of empathy influences consumer behavior and brand loyalty through underlying psychological mechanisms. The results emphasize the potential of synesthetic design in building deeper and more intuitive connections between consumers and brands. The application of synesthetic imagery interoperability to product styling design can elevate users' sensory experience to emotional experience through the use of synesthesia, which provides a new path for product styling design application research.

Nursing Students' Experiences of Empathy in a Virtual Reality Simulation Game: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Empathy is significant in nursing, and showing empathy toward a patient positively impacts a patient's health. Learning empathy through immersive simulations is effective. Immersion is an essential factor in virtual reality. This study aimed to describe nursing students' experiences of empathy in a virtual reality simulation game. Data were collected from nursing students (n = 20) from May 2021 to January 2022. Data collection included individual semistructured interviews; before the interviews, the virtual reality gaming procedure was conducted. Inductive content analysis was used. Nursing students experienced compassion and a feeling of concern in the virtual reality simulation game. Students were willing to help the virtual patient, and they recognized the virtual patient's emotions using methods such as listening and imagining. Students felt the need to improve the patient's condition, and they responded to the virtual patient's emotions with the help of nonverbal and verbal communication and helping methods. Empathy is possible to experience by playing virtual reality simulation games, but it demands technique practicing before entering the virtual reality simulation game.

When TV neighbours become good friends: Understanding Neighbours fans' feelings of grief and loss at the end of the series.

Fans may experience significant upset and distress when a television series ends. However, grief and loss reactions to the end of a fictional series have seldom been investigated. It is likely that the degree to which such reactions are felt is influenced by viewing motives (e.g., pleasure, meaning making), connection to the series and its fan community, relationships formed with characters, including parasocial bonds and experiences of empathy, and tendency to engage with others' perspectives and emotions, including fictional characters. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of fans' grief and loss reactions to the end of the television series Neighbours, which aired from 1985 to 2022. Fans (n = 1289) completed an online survey shortly after the screening of the final episode. The survey measured grief emotions and cognitions, acceptance that the series had ended, distress at the loss of a parasocial relationship with a favourite character, feelings of closure, and expressions of gratitude for the series. Predictors of these grief and loss reactions examined in the survey were viewing motives, fan identity, strength of a parasocial relationship formed with a favourite character, empathy towards that character, and tendency to take others' perspectives, experience empathic concern and personal distress, and tendency towards engagement with fictional characters. Greater grief and loss reactions were experienced by fans whose motives for watching involved being entertained and exposed to different lifestyles, who felt a stronger fan connection to the series, and who formed stronger parasocial empathic relationships with their favourite character. Factors such as gender, age, and empathic tendencies predicted various types of grief reactions. Understanding fan experiences when a long-running series ends advances theory and research on viewer parasocial relationships and engagement with media, as well as providing evidence that the loss of a series or favourite character can be viewed as a type of grief experience.

Clients' experiences of empathy in genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: A qualitative study in Japan.

Empathy is a significant element in genetic counseling for building relationships with the clients and addressing their issues. However, there are few reports on the experiences of the clients about their perceived empathy in genetic counseling. Cancer genetic counseling needs have been rapidly evolving with the expansion of clinical comprehensive genomic profiling and genetic diagnosis approaches for hereditary cancers. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal empathy perceptions of the clients during cancer genetic counseling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and a grounded theory approach was used for data analysis. A total of 13 participants were recruited from organizations for patients with cancer, among whom 11 were patients with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and two were relatives of patients with HBOC. Data analysis was organized into five categories related to experiences with empathy: (i) prior context to perceive empathy (ii) understanding and consideration, (iii) bedside manner, and (iv) impacted area of perceived empathy; and (v) no empathy. This study highlights the fact that empathy experiences of the clients differ depending on the situation and state of mind. Taken together, this study provides new insights on how to deliver empathic care.

The role of evidence-based practice and empathy in shared decision-making attitudes among newly graduated nurses: A cross-sectional study.

Examine the levels of variables and explore drivers associated with shared decision-making attitudes among newly graduated nurses. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. From August 2022 to October 2022, a cross-section of 216 newly graduated nurses from four comprehensive A-level hospitals in northern China was recruited using convenience sampling. Newly graduated nurses are generally defined as nurses with a service period of six months to one year. Data were collected using an online questionnaire support platform, including the Nursing Shared Decision-Making Attitude scale, Jefferson scale of Empathy-Health profession students and the Health Sciences Evidence-Based Practice questionnaire. All data were analysed descriptively, and correlational analysis and hierarchical regression were used to make identical connections between variables. Newly graduated nurses supported shared decision-making. Perceptions of shared decision-making were correlated with the experiences of empathy and evidence-based practice. Additionally, perspective-taking of empathy and beliefs, and the ability to search for and apply existing scientific findings of evidence-based practice had a significant impact on more positive attitudes. The survey showed that acceptance of shared decision-making was positive among newly graduated nurses. Clinical nursing managers and teachers should pay attention to cultivating the evidence-based practice and empathy of newly graduated nurses to adopt an optimistic attitude towards shared decision-making in the long term. The survey addresses attitudes of shared decision-making among newly graduatednurses and determines whether empathy and evidence-based practice has an impact on it. The main finding is that newly graduated nurses have an optimistic outlook on the implementation of shared decision-making. This survey showed that empathy and evidence-based practice competencies are associated with shared decision-making attitudes among newly graduated nurses. The results of this survey have an impact on educational institutions and hospitals in the form of recommendations. Several training programmes on empathy and evidence-based practice can help adopt the shared decision-making attitudes of newly graduated nurses. No patient or public contribution.

To explore the impact of traumatic birth experiences on midwives' experience of empathy: A qualitative study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the experiences of Chinese midwives during traumatic birth experiences and their impact. By doing so, we hope to develop effective empathetic educational strategies and provide valuable insights to improve the midwifery support system in China. MethodsThis study adopted Colaizzi's phenomenological approach, which aimed to understand and explore human experiences from the standpoint of the participants. A purposive sampling method was used to select 16 midwives for semi-structured interviews. The Colaizzi 7-step method was used to analyze the interview data. FindingsThree themes and eight sub-themes were developed by analyzing and integrating the interview data. These included intertwined negative experiences (self-blame and guilt, regurgitated disturbances, intense and persistent physical and psychological discomfort, and low confidence in midwifery decision-making behaviours), the coexistence of positive effects (increased ability to tolerate life uncertainty, increased sense of control in coping with traumatic birth experiences), and needs and expectations (confiding in co-workers, an expectation of professional psychological support interventions). ConclusionsThe experiences of midwives in showing empathy during traumatic birth experiences are complex and multifaceted. It is crucial to recognize and address negative empathic experiences, provide coping strategies, and enhance positive empathic experiences. Midwives' grief counselling competence education should be strengthened, as should their psychological well-being and the midwifery support system.

Mental health nurses' empathy experiences towards consumers with dual diagnosis: A thematic analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of evidence regarding mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. This qualitative study aimed to describe mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis in Australian mental health settings. Through purposeful sampling, interviews were conducted with 17 mental health nurses who have experience in caring for consumers with dual diagnosis. Thematic analysis, as an inductive approach was used, to generate codes and themes from participant data. To report on this qualitative study, we adhered to the ENTREQ guidelines. Four themes emerged: challenges to develop empathy with consumers, lack of conducive attitude of nurses towards consumers, appraising consumers' emotions accurately and holistically responding to the appraised emotions. The findings indicated that developing empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis is a complex task. Mental health nurses may struggle to empathize with consumers when encountering confrontational situations. Interventional studies are required to address the relationship between mental health nurses' attitudes, stress, burnout, compassion fatigue and empathy in relation to consumers with dual diagnosis. Understanding why mental health nurses emotional experiences differ about a similar challenging situation experienced by their consumers is vital. Further research on strategies to address empathy issues among mental health nurses could enhance nursing practice and consumer care.

Embodied Cognition and Empathic Experiences in War Communication


 
 
 Using the perspective of phenomenological-enactive embodied cognition, this paper examines the role of the body in constituting specific social interactions via specific media ecologies (war imagery) during the times of (refugee) crisis. Such media ecologies give affordances that can amplify social beliefs and turn subjective judgments into an intersubjective action. We consider the human body in relation to war media as playing an important role in sustaining social experiences and relations. To that end, the article explores the fundamental experience of empathy, combining the theoretical perspectives of phenomenology and enactivism with the examples from war imagery and refugee embodiment. It is shown that the classical phenomenological tradition offers different yet useful conceptualisations of empathy. We also argue that war images and/or messages should be viewed as means/tools for, rather than representations of, the enaction of certain important experiences. Hence, the article connects the analysis of the affection by war imagery with the subsequent social interactions in the context of refugee crisis.
 
 

Topographic mapping of the sensorimotor qualities of empathic reactivity: A psychophysiological study in people with spinal cord injuries.

The experience of empathy for pain is underpinned by sensorimotor and affective dimensions which, although interconnected, are at least in part behaviorally and neurally distinct. Spinal cord injuries (SCI) induce a massive, below-lesion level, sensorimotor body-brain disconnection. This condition may make it possible to test whether sensorimotor deprivation alters specific dimensions of empathic reactivity to observed pain. To explore this issue, we asked SCI people with paraplegia and healthy controls to observe videos of painful or neutral stimuli administered to a hand (intact) or a foot (deafferented). The stimuli were displayed by means of a virtual reality set-up and seen from a first person (1PP) or third person (3PP) visual perspective. A number of measures were recorded ranging from explicit behaviors like explicit verbal reports on the videos, to implicit measures of muscular activity (like EMG from the corrugator and zygomatic muscles that may represent a proxy of sensorimotor empathy) and of autonomic reactivity (like the electrodermal response and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia that may represent a general proxy of affective empathy). While no across group differences in explicit verbal reports about the pain stimuli were found, SCI people exhibited reduced facial muscle reactivity to the stimuli applied to the foot (but not the hand) seen from the 1PP. Tellingly, the corrugator activity correlated with SCI participants' neuropathic pain. There were no across group differences in autonomic reactivity suggesting that SCI lesions may affect sensorimotor dimensions connected to empathy for pain.

Activity increases in empathy-related brain regions when children contribute to peers’ sadness and happiness

Responding empathically when causing peers’ emotions is critical to children’s interpersonal functioning, yet there are surprising gaps in the literature. Previous research has focused on empathy when witnessing others’ emotions instead of causing others’ emotions, on negative emotions instead of positive emotions, and on behavioral correlates instead of neural correlates. In this study, children (N = 38; Mage = 9.28 years; 50% female) completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging block design task in which they played a rigged game where they won and lost coins for themselves or peers and viewed their peers’ happiness and sadness. We used a region of interest approach to test whether activity in brain regions associated with positive and negative empathy in adults showed significantly greater activity in each condition (i.e., when children won and lost tokens for themselves and peers) compared with a fixation baseline. We predicted that experiencing self-conscious emotions, such as pride and guilt, would heighten the experience of empathy. Activity in the amygdala, which is associated with visceral arousal, and in the anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, which are associated with integrated arousal, increased significantly when winning and losing for oneself and peers and observing their resulting happy and sad facial expressions. Activity did not differ when playing for oneself versus peers, indicating that self-conscious emotions do not heighten empathy and instead support similar neural processes underlying firsthand and secondhand (empathic) emotions. These findings support that empathy during middle childhood involves the same brain regions as empathy during adulthood and that children experience firsthand and secondhand positive and negative emotions in similar ways.

Virtual group psychotherapy for chronic pain: exploring the impact of the virtual medium on participants' experiences.

Virtual psychotherapy for chronic pain (CP) has been shown to be feasible, efficacious, and acceptable; however, little is known about how virtual delivery of group psychotherapy affects participants' experiences. This study aimed to explore the impact of a virtual medium during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on social interactions and therapeutic processes in the context of group psychotherapy for CP management. This qualitative, interview-based study collected data on 18 individuals who participated in virtual group psychotherapy in a tertiary care pain management unit. Results of the thematic analysis showed 4 themes. First, the ability to participate and connect was modified by not meeting in person. Connections also occurred differently as the usual patterns of interactions changed. Participants described important shifts in how emotions are communicated and subsequent experience of empathy. Finally, the commonality of chronic pain experience was identified as a central driver of connection between participants. Mixed impacts of the virtual medium on group psychotherapy dynamics and processes were found. Future research could explore ways to mitigate the negative impacts.

Autistic People's Experience of Empathy and the Autistic Empathy Deficit Narrative.

There is a dominant discourse, both in clinical texts and throughout the academic literature, that autistic people lack empathy; however, over the past decade, both clinicians and academics have increasingly rejected deficit-based descriptions of autism in favor of more nuanced explanations of the experience of autistic individuals in a social world. This study asked 76 autistic individuals about their own experience of empathy and the oft-cited empathy deficit. Data were thematically analyzed and revealed a wide array of empathic self-concepts among respondents. Notably, there was a high proportion of hyper-empathic experiences. Many respondents reported their empathic responses to be overwhelming, or even distressing. These different experiences of empathy contrast with societal expectations of empathy, which often result in additional labor for autistic people as they navigate the non-autistic centered world. Although the academic literature is, in some areas, slowly moving away from a deficit perspective, more broadly there is still a negative impact from misconceptions around autistic people and empathy. Further work needs to be done to not only explore this misconception at a societal (rather than academic) level, but also better bridge the gap around the changing ideas of empathy and real-world understanding of autistic empathy.

Clients' and genetic counselors' perceptions of empathy in Japan: A pilot study of simulated consultations of genetic counseling.

The rapidly increasing availability of genetic testing is driving the acceleration of genetic counseling implementation. Empathy is important in medical encounters in general and forms a core component of a successful genetic counseling session; however, empirical evidence on empathy in genetic counseling is minimal. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of empathy in simulated genetic counseling consultations from the perspectives of clients and genetic counselors. Semi-structured interviews and interpersonal process recall were used with participants of simulated genetic counseling consultations to elicit their experiences of empathy. A constructivist grounded theory was used for data analysis. A total of 15 participants, including 10 clients and 5 genetic counselors, participated in 10 simulated counseling sessions. The genetic counselors attempted to demonstrate empathy and were sensitive toward detecting changes in clients. Meanwhile, the clients' perceptions represented their feelings and thoughts elicited through the counselors' empathic approaches. This was the first process study to examine empathy in simulated genetic counseling sessions. Our model of communication of empathy is a process in which counselors try to address implicit aspects of clients, and clients are provided with time and a safe place for introspection, which contributes to discussions on building good relationships with patients. There is also a suggestion of the utility of simulated consultations for healthcare providers to learn empathic communication.

Above management: Scale development and empirical testing for public opinion monitoring of marine pollution

The marine eco-environment is receiving increasing attention globally, and the rapid development of network technology has enabled individuals to express their dissatisfaction and appeals for marine pollution through public engagement measures, particularly on network platforms. As a result, chaotic public opinions and information dissemination on marine pollution are becoming more prevalent. Previous studies have mainly focused on practical measures of marine pollution management, with limited exploration of how to prioritize the monitoring of public opinions on marine pollution. This study aims to develop a comprehensive and scientific measurement scale for public opinion monitoring on marine pollution by defining its implications and dimensions, verifying its reliability, validity, and predictive validity. The research defines the implications of public opinion monitoring regarding marine pollution based on previous literature and experience, using empathy theory as an entry point. The study uses text analysis to explore the internal laws of topic data on social media sites (n = 12,653), forming a theoretical conception of public opinion monitoring composed of three Level 1 dimensions (empathy arousal, empathy experience, and empathy memory). Based on research conclusions and related measurement scales, the study compiles the measurement items to develop the initial scale. Finally, the study verifies the scale reliability and validity (n1 = 435, n2 = 465) and predictive validity (n = 257). Results show that the public opinion monitoring scale has good reliability and validity, and the three Level 1 dimensions have a high level of interpretation for public opinion monitoring and good predictive validity. This research expands the application scope of public opinion monitoring theory and emphasizes the significance of public opinion management on the basis of traditional management research, increasing marine pollution managers' attention to the public domain of the network. Furthermore, it provides public opinion monitoring instruments for marine pollution through scale development and empirical research, reducing the occurrence of public trust crises and creating a stable and harmonious network environment.

Challenges of working in undervalued technical schools. A continuum between discourses of deficit and trust

This paper focuses on the perceptions of technical high school tutors in Mexico about students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds in the context of global curriculum reforms and institutional hierarchies. Through two novel concepts in education, culture of poverty and cultural deficiency, the paper explores: (a) how structural constraints shape tutors’ perceptions and practices with students, and (b) how tutors’ perceptions contribute to reconceptualise discourses of deficit and the culture of poverty in a more comprehensive way. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine tutors working in Tijuana, Mexico City and Tuxtla Gutierrez, the main themes of analysis are: tutors’ working conditions, their perceptions of and relationships with students, the quality of education on offer, curricular reforms, and behaviour management. Even if systemic factors contribute to tutors’ perceptions of deficit amongst students, we found valuable experiences of empathy, trust, and encouragement amongst tutors that show both their agency and resilience.

The Little Black Box: Contextualizing Empathy

In the last century since the word “empathy” was first introduced to the English vernacular, it has gained wide attention within academia and society more broadly. However, empathy has proven particularly challenging to define. We suggest that persistent disagreements about its conceptualization partially result from the tendency of researchers to simplify, remove, or ignore the context in which empathy is experienced. But context matters. For instance, we experience empathy when we encounter a grieving friend, but also when our partner expresses frustration with our past behavior. We illustrate how context shapes the experience of empathy by focusing on the diversity of emotional contexts that give rise to empathy and presenting a case study of context-specific empathy in response to another’s pain versus sadness. We conclude with recommendations for academics and those in the public arena who are interested in understanding empathy.

Analysis of Empathic Experiences in Video Games with Microblogging

Empathy refers to what people experience and feel. Experts believed that empathy is an emotional intelligence skill that can be trained and taught. Therefore, it is very important to explore ways to experience and teach emotional empathy. Empathy experiences can be stimulated by reading fiction and other narratives, storytelling, watching movies, and also playing computer games. In this work, our objective is to investigate the effect of video gaming on empathy using a microblogging tool designed to collect user experiences related to empathy. The aim of this research is to contribute by providing a tool to teach, experience, and measure empathy. This research applies quantitative and qualitative methods. We conducted two studies: (1) investigating the correlation between empathic experiences and video games, and (2) a laboratory experiment to evaluate microblogs as a tool for interviews and media to express feelings or opinions related to empathy. Quantitative data were obtained from the IRI questionnaire. We developed and implemented a microblogging tool. Study 1 involved 100 participants, and study 2 involved 43 participants. As a result, we find that during the interventions, mean scores increase more for male than for female participants. The impact of playing the video game toward empathy is to raise players' fantasies. The game's story or narrative has the most important role to affect players' feelings. We also explore the potential of a microblogging tool for acquiring qualitative data related to empathy experiences and the effect of playing games.

Changing Kindergarten Teachers' Mindsets Toward Children to Overcome Compassion Fatigue.

Kindergarten teachers who empathize with toddlers experience a great risk of burnout and emotional disturbance. This is referred to as compassion fatigue, in which teachers' empathy experience is reduced. This study proposed a moderated mediation model to identify the risks of compassion fatigue and its protective factors for developing evidence-based clinical interventions. In this cross-sectional study, self-report measures were administered to 1049 kindergarten teachers to observe their mindsets toward children, motivation for teacher empathy, job stress, social support, and compassion fatigue. The PROCESS macro (SPSS 23.0) was used to assess the moderated mediation model. The results demonstrated that motivation for teacher empathy mediated the negative relationship between kindergarten teachers' mindsets toward children and compassion fatigue. Moreover, job stress and social support moderated the relationship between kindergarten teachers' mindsets toward children and motivation for teacher empathy. However, this effect was not observed in the negative relationship between kindergarten teachers' mindsets toward children and compassion fatigue. The proposed moderated mediation model was found to be valid. Furthermore, the study findings have practical implications for developing evidence-based interventions for addressing kindergarten teachers' compassion fatigue.