Dispositional Empathy Among Psychotherapists: A Latent Profile Analysis.
Clin Psychol Psychother
; 31(3): e3016, 2024.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38859691
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This study examined therapists' dispositional empathy profiles and how they differ based on professional and personal characteristics.METHOD:
A total of 376 clinicians was recruited for this study. Dispositional empathy was assessed with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Profiles were generated using latent profile analysis. Predictors of profiles were assessed with multiple self-report questionnaires measuring demographic and professional characteristics, romantic attachment styles, five-factor personality traits and vulnerable narcissism.RESULTS:
A four-profile solution was retained with the following proportions rational empathic (20%), disengaged/detached (10%), empathic immersion (35%) and insecure/self-absorbed (35%). Overall, few relationships were found regarding demographic and professional characteristics. In contrast, significant relationships were found between profile membership and personal characteristics, including avoidant and anxious attachment, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, intellect/imagination and vulnerable narcissism.CONCLUSION:
The findings show that differences in therapists' empathic dispositions are linked to personality dimensions. Implications for psychotherapy research, practice and training are discussed.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Empathy
/
Psychotherapists
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Psychol Psychother
/
Clin. psychol. psychother
/
Clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Journal subject:
PSICOLOGIA
/
PSIQUIATRIA
/
TERAPEUTICA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Country of publication: