Publication: Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
Authors:
Tina Maltia
Maria Paula Chaparroa
Antonio Zuffianòa
Tyler Colasante
Date: 18 Feb 2016
Affiliation(s):
Citation:
Comments: paper is behind paywall.
Abstract:
Empathy has been identified as a core component of social and emotional functioning across development. Various prevention and intervention programs have utilized components of empathy-related responding to promote the development of children’s and adolescents’ social-emotional functioning and impede their aggression in school contexts. In this article, we assess the effectiveness of select school-based empathy interventions and the extent to which they align with developmental theory and research.
First, we review current conceptualizations of empathy-related responding, identify its components, outline its normative development, and describe the need for developmentally tailored interventions. We then identify and assess the effectiveness and developmental sensitivity of 19 school-based programs with strong empirical support that target empathy-related responding across childhood and adolescence. Although the majority of these programs showed some degree of developmental differentiation between grades, none considered developmental differences within grades. Commencing interventions earlier in development and targeting higher numbers of empathy-related constructs were, in part, associated with larger effects.
We discuss how future research can bridge the gap between basic developmental research and the design of developmentally tailored interventions to promote empathy-related responding.
Topic Area: (In which field / sector / perspective was this study conducted?)
Definition: (How was empathy defined?)
Benefits: (Were any benefits of empathy mentioned?)
Criticisms (Were any criticisms, negative effects or risks of empathy mentioned?)
Methods: (What were the methods used to train empathy?)
Target Group: (Who participated in this study / training?)
children’s and adolescents
school-based empathy interventions
Measurements: (About the assessment: How was the change in empathy measured before/after the intervention/method?)
Result: (What was the result?)
Posted By: edwin rutsch
Notes: (Any other relevant information)
References: