Role Of Empathy In Relationship Research Articles

Mindfulness and intimate relationship satisfaction in daily life: The role of empathy.

This study examined the role of empathy in the relationship between mindfulness and intimate relationship satisfaction (IRS). Using ecological momentary assessment, 100 pairs of university students who were in relationships participated in the study. The participants were invited to complete a questionnaire measuring their current states of mindfulness, IRS, and empathy three times a day for 14 days. The results showed that empathy at the within-person level played a mediating role in the relationship between acceptance and IRS. Empathy at the within-person level also moderated the relationship between monitoring and IRS. Findings illustrated the vital role of empathy in an intimate relationship. Limitations of the study were discussed.

Empathy: The Stepchild of Critical Reflection and Transformative Learning

Historically, three constructs have been seen as central to transformative learning theory, critical reflection, dialogue, and experience (Mezirow, 1990). Learners’ experience, is seen as socially constructed, as constituting the starting point for dialogue, as the essential medium through which a transformation is promoted and developed, and as leading to critical reflection where learners question ‘the integrity of deeply held assumptions and beliefs based on prior experience (Taylor, 2009, p. 7)’. Missing in this tripartite of core components of transformative learning theory is ‘empathy’ which typically is seen as the ability to ‘subjectively experience and share in another psychological state or intrinsic feelings (Morse, et. al, 1992, p. 274)’. As a construct, empathy has been mentioned in the literature as significant to reflection specifically and generally transformative, although it is rarely defined or discussed in much depth, particularly in its relationship to the central constructs of transformative learning. Questions are raised: What is empathy and what is the role of empathy in relationship to reflection? To critical reflection? And transformative learning? Recognizing the significance of empathy what are the implications for fostering reflection? This manuscript would address these questions and review recent research on empathy, reflection and TL.