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Level and correlates of empathy and altruism during the Covid-19 pandemic. Evidence from a representative survey in Germany.
Hajek, André; König, Hans-Helmut.
  • Hajek A; Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany.
  • König HH; Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, Hamburg, Germany.
PLoS One ; 17(3): e0265544, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1745306
ABSTRACT

AIM:

Our purpose was to clarify the level and correlates of empathy and altruism in the German population during the Covid-19 pandemic.

METHODS:

A nationally representative survey (n = 3,075) was conducted in August/September 2021. To measure empathy, a short scale based on the Interpersonality Reactivity Index (IRI; German version Saarbrucken personality questionnaire, SPF) was used (SPF-K). Based on the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP; IPIP-5F30F-R1), the subscale altruism was used to quantify altruism.

RESULTS:

The average altruism score was 3.3 (SD 0.7), ranging from 1 to 5. Moreover, the average empathy score was 13.1 (SD 2.8), ranging from 4 to 20. The level of empathy significantly differed between the subgroups. For example, high levels of empathy were identified among women (average 13.7, SD 2.7), individuals with children (average 13.5, SD 2.8), and individuals with migration background (average 13.6, SD 2.8). Effect sizes were mostly small. Similar differences (in terms of effect size) were identified between these groups regarding altruism. Additionally, regressions showed that higher levels of both empathy and altruism were associated with being female, younger age, having children, sports activities and having at least one chronic disease. Moreover, vaccination against Covid-19 was only associated with higher altruism, but not with higher empathy.

CONCLUSION:

Our study emphasized the moderately high level of empathy and altruism in Germany during times of the pandemic. Identifying the correlates of these factors may help to address individuals with very low levels of these factors.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Vaccination / Empathy / Altruism / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0265544

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Vaccination / Empathy / Altruism / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0265544