With a Little Help from My Empathic Friends: The Role of Peers in the Development of Empathy in Adolescence
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| Title: | With a Little Help from My Empathic Friends: The Role of Peers in the Development of Empathy in Adolescence |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Miklikowska, Marta (ORCID |
| Source: | Developmental Psychology. Jun 2022 58(6):1156-1162. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 7 |
| Publication Date: | 2022 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Adolescents, Empathy, Friendship, Peer Influence, Adolescent Development, Emotional Development, Perspective Taking, Longitudinal Studies, Late Adolescents, Gender Differences |
| Geographic Terms: | Sweden |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001347 |
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| Abstract: | Despite ample research on empathy development, its social origins have been understudied, particularly in the context of peer relations. This two-wave study of Swedish adolescents (N = 318; M[subscript ageT1] = 16.28, SD = 0.49; 55% females) examined longitudinal associations between youth friendships and empathy. The results showed that adolescents befriended peers with similar levels of empathy and that, controlling for the initial similarity in empathy, youth who had more empathic friends increased in empathy over time compared with youth with less empathic friends. These selection and influence effects were comparable for the affective and cognitive empathy components (i.e., empathic concern and perspective taking). These results provide strong evidence for the role of friendships in the development of empathy. They underscore the importance of peer-based, social-emotional programs to foster adolescent empathy. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2023 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1367043 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Despite ample research on empathy development, its social origins have been understudied, particularly in the context of peer relations. This two-wave study of Swedish adolescents (N = 318; M[subscript ageT1] = 16.28, SD = 0.49; 55% females) examined longitudinal associations between youth friendships and empathy. The results showed that adolescents befriended peers with similar levels of empathy and that, controlling for the initial similarity in empathy, youth who had more empathic friends increased in empathy over time compared with youth with less empathic friends. These selection and influence effects were comparable for the affective and cognitive empathy components (i.e., empathic concern and perspective taking). These results provide strong evidence for the role of friendships in the development of empathy. They underscore the importance of peer-based, social-emotional programs to foster adolescent empathy. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0001347 |
