Partner Empathy Research Articles

Partner empathy as a buffer to stress across the transition to parenthood in cross-sex couples.

Partner empathy as a buffer to stress across the transition to parenthood in cross-sex couples.

Partner empathy in couple therapy: A discovery-phase task analytic study.

Partner empathy in couple therapy: A discovery-phase task analytic study.

A meta-analysis on the crossover of workplace traumatic stress symptoms between partners.

Workers who are exposed to severe situations such as death, harassment, and others' suffering at work are vulnerable to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe distress. This distress may extend to their intimate partners, despite their lack of firsthand experience with the traumatic stressors. Although theory and empirical research suggest that employees' traumatic distress can transmit to their partners, the magnitude of these effects and when, how, and why intimate partners develop secondary traumatic symptoms and distress are not as clear. Drawing from crossover theory as an organizing framework (Westman, 2001), our meta-analysis of 276 articles indicates that the relationship between employee PTSD/distress and spouse PTSD/distress is as strong as the relationship between employee trauma exposure and employee PTSD/distress (ρ = .26), suggesting that workers' PTSD/distress is as distressing for partners as the traumatic stressors are for workers encountering them firsthand. Our moderation tests further revealed that the trauma-exposed workers' vulnerability to traumatic stress symptoms was stronger in military than in nonmilitary settings, whereas the extent to which their symptoms crossover to their intimate partners did not vary across occupations. Mediation tests suggest that traumatic stress crossover is partially explained by the worsened quality of the couple's relationship (e.g., increased social support burden and undermining), consistent with the crossover via couple interaction explanation in crossover theory. On the other hand, there was mixed support for the mediating role of the partner's empathy, indicating further research and clarification are needed. Implications for crossover theory and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Who brings you up when you're feeling down? Distinct implications of dispositional empathy versus situationally-prompted empathic mindsets for targets' affective experience in face-to-face interpersonal interaction

Spending time with other people can increase happiness and well-being, particularly if the exchanges are meaningful and involve close others. Possibly, then, interactions with other people who – even if they are strangers – are oriented toward emotional connection are especially likely to be beneficial. We test this possibility by probing the implications for individuals' feelings of happiness of interacting with a stranger who is more or less empathically oriented. We further examine whether any mood boost individuals experience depends on their level of distress or whether their interaction partner's empathy is dispositional or situationally prompted. Our data consist of a post hoc mini meta-analysis of four studies from our lab and a final pre-registered study (total N = 701 dyads). All studies involved face-to-face interaction in which the “actor's” empathic mindset and “target's” distress were manipulated, the actor's dispositional empathy having been previously assessed. Although effects were small, interacting with a dispositionally empathic actor generally raised targets' spirits more, regardless of whether they were distressed to begin with – unless the actor was purposefully trying to be empathic. This “disruption” pattern suggests that the interpersonal benefits of dispositional empathy can be viewed through the same lens as other types of skilled, proceduralized behaviors that are vulnerable to disruption by conscious monitoring. Evidence for interpersonal benefits of temporary empathic mindsets was much more equivocal. At least for interpersonal outcomes in non-conflictual exchanges, our results point to potential benefits of promoting skill development or indirectly enhancing empathic motivation over approaches involving directly encouraging empathy.

Dispositional empathy is associated with experimental pain reduction during provision of social support by romantic partners.

Background and aims While social interactions like verbal support and physical touch have repeatedly been shown to reduce experimental pain, analgesic effects of passive social support, i.e. the sole physical presence of a supportive other, remain unclear. Moreover, little is known about individual factors influencing the extent of pain attenuation during social support. This study investigated analgesic effects of passive support by a romantic partner and the role of partner empathy therein. Methods In 48 heterosexual couples, sensitivity to pressure pain was assessed; each participant was tested alone and in the passive presence of his/her partner. Dispositional empathy was quantified by a questionnaire. Results In the presence, as compared to absence, of their partners men and women exhibited higher pain threshold and tolerance, as well as lower sensory and affective pain ratings on constant pressure stimuli. Partner empathy was positively associated with pain tolerance and inversely associated with sensory pain experience. Conclusions The results confirm the analgesic effects of social support, which may even occur without verbal or physical contact. Partner empathy may buffer affective distress during pain exposure, thereby reducing pain sensitivity and promoting pain coping. These processes may occur solely due to a partner's physical presence and do not necessarily require direct empathetic feedback.

The Five Love Languages Program: An Exploratory Investigation Points to Improvements in Relationship Functioning

The authors describe an exploratory investigation of a relationship education program based on the Five Love Languages (5 LL) (Chapman, 2007), implemented by Extension educators in seven rural counties. Relationship assessments measured participant changes related to the quality of the primary relationship, belief in the future of the relationship, and partner empathy. Confidence in using the 5 LLs was also assessed. Two groups were compared, a “no booster” group that participated in didactic and final sessions and a “booster” group that received a book, tips, and reminders to practice the 5 LLs. Focus groups revealed how participants benefited. The results showed significant gains in knowledge of and confidence in using the 5 LLs. All participants significantly improved on partner empathy and the “booster” group showed significantly more improvement than the “no booster” group. The value to the family life education mission of Cooperative Extension is discussed, and recommendations for future research are given.

Physical and Mental Health Impacts of Household Gardens in an Urban Slum in Lima, Peru.

Rural poverty and lack of access to education has led to urban migration and fed the constant growth of urban slums in Lima, Peru. Inhabitants of these informal settlements lack land rights and access to a public water supply, resulting in poor sanitation, an inability to grow food, and suboptimal health outcomes. A repeated measures longitudinal pilot study utilizing participatory design methods was conducted in Lima between September 2013 and September 2014 to determine the feasibility of implementing household gardens and the subsequent impact of increased green space on well-being. Anthropometric data and a composite of five validated mental health surveys were collected at the baseline, 6-months, and 12-months after garden construction. Significant increases from the baseline in all domains of quality of life, including: physical (p < 0.01), psychological (p = 0.05), social (p = 0.02), environmental (p = 0.02), and overall social capital (p < 0.01) were identified 12 months after garden construction. Life-threatening experiences decreased significantly compared to the baseline (p = 0.02). There were no significant changes in parent or partner empathy (p = 0.21), BMI (p = 0.95), waist circumference (p = 0.18), or blood pressure (p = 0.66) at 6 or 12 months. Improved access to green space in the form of a household garden can significantly improve mental health in an urban slum setting.

Same-Race and Interracial Asian-White Couples: Relational and Social Contexts and Relationship Outcomes

Research suggests that interracial couples have lower relationship stability compared to their same-race counterparts, but there is evidence that interracial relationships involving Whites and Asians are an exception. This study compared the pathways to relationship stability among same-race and interracial Asian-White couples. Using MANCOVA, partner empathy, social approval, relationship satisfaction, and relationship stability for same-race and interracial Asian-White couples were compared, while holding length of relationship constant. A Structural Equation Model tested differences between groups in the effect that partner’s empathic listening and social approval had on relationship satisfaction and stability. Results indicated that interracial couples had similar relationship satisfaction and stability, as well as partner empathy, and social approval, as same-race White couples. Same-race Asian couples consistently scored lowest in relational and social factors, as well as relationship outcomes. With few exceptions, the influence of empathy in communication and social approval on relationship outcomes was similar for interracial and same-race couples.

The moderating effect of perceived partner empathy on body image and depression among breast cancer survivors.

The aims of the study were the following: (1) to understand the relationship between women's perceptions of empathy from their partners and their depressive symptoms and body image and (2) to examine the moderating effects of women's perceptions of empathy from their partners on the relationship between body image and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional and correlational design was used, in which a convenience sample of 151 women who completed surgery and the necessary chemotherapy/radiotherapy were recruited from southern Taiwan. A structured questionnaire including the Other Dyadic Perspective-Taking Scale, the Body Image Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale were administered. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the moderating effects of empathy from partners between the women's body image and their level of depressive symptoms. The results showed significant relationships between empathy from a partner and depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant relationship between empathy from a partner and body image (p > 0.05). The moderating effect of empathy from a partner on the relationship between body image and depressive symptoms was also significant (p < 0.01). The more empathy women perceived from partners, the fewer depressive symptoms women reported. Empathy from a partner could moderate the impact of body image changes on depressive symptoms. Women's depressive symptoms, resulting from a change in body image after breast cancer surgery, might be minimized if they perceived greater empathy from their partners.

Reciprocal Empathy and Working Alliance in Terminal Oncological Illness: The Crucial Role of Patients’ Attachment Style

Security of attachment is described as an inner resource that may also facilitate the adaptation of individuals during critical life adversity, even when facing end-stage illness and death. This study assessed the relation between attachment styles, patient–caregiver reciprocal empathy, and patient–physician working alliance, in the terminal phase of an oncological disease. We hypothesized that the attachment security of patients, as measured by the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), is related to the reciprocal empathy with the caregiver, as measured by the Perception of Partner Empathy (PPE) questionnaire, and to the working alliance with the physician, as measured by the Working Alliance Inventory–Short Form (WAI-S). Thirty-seven end-stage cancer patients, their caregivers, and physicians participated in the study. The PPE and WAI-S were administered twice: immediately after the hospice recovery and a week later. Results showed a significant improvement in patient–caregiver empathy and in patient–physician alliance after a week at the hospice. Findings indicated that the patients’ attachment style influenced their perception of reciprocal empathy with the caregiver and the working alliance with the physician. Patients with a secure attachment had a greater capacity to show empathic closeness with their caregivers and enjoyed a better working alliance with their physicians. Caregivers’ attachment security, otherwise, did not show the same influence on empathy and alliance. Findings support the hypothesis that patients’ attachment security plays a crucial role in the relation with their own caregiver and with the physician, even at the terminal phase. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are explored in the discussion.

MDMA alters emotional processing and facilitates positive social interaction.

±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") produces "prosocial" effects, such as feelings of empathy and closeness, thought to be important to its abuse and its value in psychotherapy. However, it is not fully understood how MDMA alters basic emotional processes to produce these effects, or whether it produces corresponding changes in actual social behavior. Here, we examined how MDMA affects perceptions of and responses to emotional expressions, and tested its effects on behavior during a social interaction. We also examined whether MDMA's prosocial effects related to a measure of abuse liability. Over three sessions, 36 healthy volunteers with previous ecstasy use received MDMA (0.75, 1.5mg/kg) and placebo under double-blind conditions. We measured (i) mood and cardiovascular effects, (ii) perception of and psychophysiological responses to emotional expressions, (iii) use of positive and negative words in a social interaction, and (iv) perceptions of an interaction partner. We then tested whether these effects predicted desire to take the drug again. MDMA slowed perception of angry expressions, increased psychophysiological responses to happy expressions, and increased positive word use and perceptions of partner empathy and regard in a social interaction. These effects were not strongly related to desire to take the drug again. MDMA alters basic emotional processes by slowing identification of negative emotions and increasing responses to positive emotions in others. Further, it positively affects behavior and perceptions during actual social interaction. These effects may contribute to the efficacy of MDMA in psychotherapy, but appear less closely related to its abuse potential.

Modification and preliminary use of the five-minute speech sample in the postpartum: associations with postnatal depression and posttraumatic stress

Little is known about what constitutes key components of partner support during the childbirth experience. This study modified the five minute speech sample, a measure of expressed emotion (EE), for use with new parents in the immediate postpartum. A coding framework was developed to rate the speech samples on dimensions of couple support. Associations were explored between these codes and subsequent symptoms of postnatal depression and posttraumatic stress. 372 couples were recruited in the early postpartum and individually provided short speech samples. Posttraumatic stress and postnatal depression symptoms were assessed via questionnaire measures at six and thirteen weeks. Two hundred and twelve couples completed all time-points. Key elements of supportive interactions were identified and reliably categorised. Mothers' posttraumatic stress was associated with criticisms of the partner during childbirth, general relationship criticisms and men's perception of helplessness. Postnatal depression was associated with absence of partner empathy and any positive comments regarding the partner's support. The content of new parents' descriptions of labour and childbirth, their partner during labour and birth and their relationship within the immediate postpartum may have significant implications for later psychological functioning. Interventions to enhance specific supportive elements between couples during the antenatal period merit development and evaluation.

Prevalence and determinants of common perinatal mental disorders in women in low- and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review

To review the evidence about the prevalence and determinants of non-psychotic common perinatal mental disorders (CPMDs) in World Bank categorized low- and lower-middle-income countries. Major databases were searched systematically for English-language publications on the prevalence of non-psychotic CPMDs and on their risk factors and determinants. All study designs were included. Thirteen papers covering 17 low- and lower-middle-income countries provided findings for pregnant women, and 34, for women who had just given birth. Data on disorders in the antenatal period were available for 9 (8%) countries, and on disorders in the postnatal period, for 17 (15%). Weighted mean prevalence was 15.6% (95% confidence interval, CI: 15.4-15.9) antenatally and 19.8% (19.5-20.0) postnatally. Risk factors were: socioeconomic disadvantage (odds ratio [OR] range: 2.1-13.2); unintended pregnancy (1.6-8.8); being younger (2.1-5.4); being unmarried (3.4-5.8); lacking intimate partner empathy and support (2.0-9.4); having hostile in-laws (2.1-4.4); experiencing intimate partner violence (2.11-6.75); having insufficient emotional and practical support (2.8-6.1); in some settings, giving birth to a female (1.8-2.6), and having a history of mental health problems (5.1-5.6). Protective factors were: having more education (relative risk: 0.5; P = 0.03); having a permanent job (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.4-1.0); being of the ethnic majority (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.8) and having a kind, trustworthy intimate partner (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9). CPMDs are more prevalent in low- and lower-middle-income countries, particularly among poorer women with gender-based risks or a psychiatric history.

Is it better to receive than to give? Empathy in the conflict–distress relationship.

The moderating effect of partner empathy on the relationship between both directions of work-family conflict (work-to-family and family-to-work) and psychological distress of both the job incumbent and partner are examined in this study. Considering empathy as a specific dimension of emotional social support, we hypothesized that receiving empathy would buffer negative spillover to the job incumbent while giving empathy would exacerbate negative crossover to the partner. A study of 270 job incumbents and their partners revealed that receiving partner empathy fully moderated spillover effects due to family-to-work conflict but had no effects with work-to-family conflict. We also found it interesting that giving partner empathy moderated the crossover effects on family-to-work conflict but had no effects with work-to-family conflict. Implications of these findings and avenues for future research are discussed.

Gender differences in empathy in parents at high- and low-risk of child physical abuse

Objectives: The present research was designed to study empathy in high-risk parents for child physical abuse. The main objective was to study if high-risk mothers and fathers, compared to low-risk mothers and fathers, presented more Personal distress, less Perspective-taking, less Empathic concern and a deficit in dispositional empathy toward their partner and children. Method: Based on their scores on the Abuse Scale of the CAP Inventory [J.S. Milner, The Child Abuse Potential Inventory: Manual, 2nd ed., Psytec Corporation, Webster, NC], 19 (9 fathers and 10 mothers) high- and 26 (12 fathers and 14 mothers) low-risk parents for child physical abuse were selected from a total sample of 331 parents of the Spanish general population. Both groups were statistically matched on sociodemographic variables. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) [Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology 10 (1980) 85] and the Parent/Partner Empathy Scale (PPES) [N.D. Feshbach, N. Caskey, A new scale for measuring parent empathy and partner empathy: factorial structure, correlates and clinical discrimination, 1985] were used to assess dispositional empathy. Results: An interaction between risk status and gender for “Personal distress” and “Perspective-taking” was found. High-risk mothers for child physical abuse showed more “Personal distress” than low-risk mothers and low-risk fathers. High-risk fathers for child physical abuse showed less “Perspective-taking” than low-risk mothers and low-risk fathers. No difference between both groups was found for the IRI “Empathic concern” dimension. Moreover, high-risk, compared to low-risk, parents showed lower scores both on the “Empathy toward the partner” and on the “Empathy toward the child” dimensions of the PPES. No interaction between risk status and gender was found for the PPES dimensions. Conclusions: Findings of the present study supported the hypothesis that high-risk parents for child physical abuse show a deficit both in general empathy and in empathy toward their family members. Moreover, findings suggested the existence of a different pattern of deficits in empathy for high-risk fathers and high-risk mothers.

Psychosocial factors related to the correspondence of recipient and provider perceptions of social support among patients diagnosed with or at risk for malignant melanoma.

This study examined considered perceptions of social support and factors contributing to increased support among 18 patients diagnosed with or at risk for malignant melanoma and their partners. Partner support, perceived stress, emotional approach coping and partner empathy were evaluated. Results showed lack of correspondence between patient and partner reports of support. Greater correspondence between reports was associated with increased patient emotional approach coping. Partners reported increased empathy following the patients' diagnoses and more perceived stress than patients. Patients indicated greater use of emotional approach coping than their partners. Male partners reported engaging in less emotional expression than female partners. Interventions might incorporate partner participation to resolve misperceptions of support and to foster factors that promote increased support.

Understanding the One You Love: A Longitudinal Assessment of an Empathy Training Program for Couples in Romantic Relationships

Understanding the One You Love: A Longitudinal Assessment of an Empathy Training Program for Couples in Romantic Relationships* Forts-eight couples in romantic relationships volunteered to participate in a 10-hour empathy training program. The five sessions of the program were briefly described and empirical support was given for each component of the training. Couples were randomly assigned to either a treatment or wait listed comparison group. Both groups completed the five-week training program at different times. The change in empathy was assessed by several repeated measures analyses of variance. Scores on three empathy measures improved in both groups over the six month period. A change in the perceptions of a partners empathy at six months was positively related to relationship satisfaction at the six month follow-up. Key Words: dyadic perspective taking, empathy, marital and premarital enrichment, relationship enhancement programs, relationship satisfaction. The marital and premarital literature presently demonstrate that partner empathy is an important characteristic of a welladjusted, stable relationship (Davis & Oathout, 1987; Franzoi, Davis, & Young, 1985; Long, 1990; 1993a, 1993b; Long & Andrews, 1990). Empathy (perspective taking and empathy will be used synonymously within the body of this paper), has been defined as the ability to understand what the other is thinking, put oneself in the other's place, and intellectually understand another's condition without vicariously experiencing their emotions (Hogan, 1969). This line of research clearly indicates that empathy, understanding the point of view of one's partner, is an important predictor of marital adjustment and a propensity to divorce for both husbands and wives (Long, 1993a, 1993b; Long & Andrews, 1990). Individuals are more likely to have stable, well-adjusted relationships if they have partners who are capable of expressing empathy. As a result of this line of research, some marriage therapists have argued for the need of empathy training for couples in romantic relationships (Bagarozzi & Anderson,1989; Long, 1993a,1993b). Empathy training programs have been developed for a diversity of groups including: high school and college students (Hatcher et al., 1994), medical students (Patore, 1995), nursing staff (Herbek & Yammarion, 1990), and parents (Brems, Baldwin, & Baxter, 1993). However, the authors are aware of no published programs that have a sole focus on an increased expression of empathy with a romantic partner. While numerous marital and premarital programs are available that focus on active listening, communication, and conflict resolution skills, no other programs are designed solely to increase partner empathy. For example, the Relationship Enhancement Program (Guerney, 1988) has one component of the 30-hour training that addresses the skill of empathy. However, the stated purpose of the nine-step program is to promote the values of honesty, compassion, and equity in order to improve family relationships, not increase family empathy. Given the empirical support for the importance of empathy, and the lack of other empathy training programs designed for couples in romantic relationships, the senior author developed an empathy training program (Long, 1995). The purpose of the present study was to provide empathy instruction to a volunteer group of couples involved in romantic relationships and then assess the effectiveness of that instruction at the conclusion of and six months following the training. Empirical Rationale and Program Description by Session A very brief description of the empathy training program is provided in the body of this paper. The program was designed as a structured, psychoeducational group for couples who desired to increase their expression of empathy with a partner. Like other training programs, the information was developed to be easy to understand, free of formal terminology, and relevant to specific romantic relationships (Brems et al. …

Prevalence and Correlates of Relationship Abuse Among a Community-Based Sample of Low-Income African American Women

This study examined the relationship between social and economic power and incidence of male-perpetrated abuse among low-income African American women with partners (N = 102). Relationship abuse was common among participants; 48% reported verbal abuse, threats of physical abuse, or physical abuse in the past 3 months. Findings also illustrated that disempowerment of women, particularly in relationships, increases female vulnerability to abuse. Regression analyses revealed lower education, partner jealousy, and lower partner empathy account for significant variance in relationship abuse in the past 3 months. Results suggest that social and contextual issues must be included in our examination of male abuse of female partners.