Exploring the relationship between empathy, self-compassion, and loneliness across age and gender.
Authors
Kurian, Nisha Elizebeth
Issue Date
2022
Degree
Higher Diploma in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The main aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between loneliness, empathy, and self-compassion in relation to age and gender using a mixed design of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Participants completed an online survey that comprised of demographics, three self-report questionnaires which measured their loneliness, empathy, and self-compassion scores and also a qualitative open-ended question on how loneliness affected empathy and self-compassion. The sample contained 433 respondents, it was split into 138 male participants and 268 female participants, and participants were aged between 18 to 66. As predicted, loneliness had a negative association with empathy and self-compassion. In addition, males experienced more loneliness than females. The current findings were in line with the past research, the present results held significant strengths, limitations, and implications for the development of future intervention strategies for transient and chronic loneliness using empathy and self-compassion, while also focusing on age and gender.