Personal values as early predictors of emotional and cognitive empathy among medical students

• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01373-8
• Publication Date: 2021-02-02T21:07:16Z
• Authors: Stefano Ardenghi; Giulia Rampoldi; Marco Bani; Maria Grazia Stre...
• Keywords: Hedonism; Interpersonal Reactivity Index; Universalism; Conformity; Association (psychology)

Abstract The present study contributes to the literature by examining association between personal values (PVs), assessed with Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire, and empathy, Davis’ Interpersonal Reactivity Index, in a sample of first-year medical students. We also examined students’ PVs profile gender differences terms PVs. All participants ( N = 398) were Italian, young (average age 19.62 years, SD 1.22), unmarried; none had children. Zero-order correlations hierarchical multiple regression models performed verify empathy; contrast, t-tests run explore scoring on Benevolence Universalism correlated positively both emotional cognitive dimensions whereas Power, Achievement, Hedonism, Security negatively associated empathy. three most important whole Benevolence, Self-Direction, Universalism. Male students outscored their female counterparts males Universalism, Conformity, Tradition. Our findings highlight importance fostering self-transcending discouraging self-enhancing during early years school, as means supporting other-oriented responses such empathy future doctors.