Differences in personality related determinants of empathetic sensibility in female and male students of medicine

Abstract

The issues of personality and its relations with the level of empathetic sensibility of medical doctors are broadly discussed in the literature. The aim of this study was an assessment of personality related predictors of empathy indicators in female and male students of medicine with consideration of gender differences. Methods applied were Empathic Sensitiveness Scale (ESS) and Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). The study included 153 participants, who were students of the fifth year of medical studies. Students filled in questionnaires during workshops in clinical psychological skills. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymous. The statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13 PL and PS IMAGO PRO (SPSS). Linear regression analysis with the interaction component was performed to explore the relationship between personality factors and gender and their interaction with the variable dependent level of empathy. The analysis showed that Extraversion, Openness and Agreeableness are associated with the level of Empathic Concern. Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness are associated with the level of Personal Distress. Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness are associated with the level of Perspective-taking. The regression analysis with the interactive component showed that there is no relationship between gender and the level of empathy, therefore the interactions were insignificant. Empathetic sensibility is related to personality dimensions of the students of medicine. Although there has been no interaction among chief personality dimensions, empathy indicators and gender, detailed analysis of personality dimensions’ components has shown differences between men and women.

Personality characteristics of empathy profiles – practical implications for education of medicine students

“…Agreeableness has a strong positive correlation with all three dimensions of Empathetic Concern. Results of Polish research on students of medicine [ 13 ] are coherent with the results obtained from Chinese students of medicine [ 11 ] and with the results from Spain [ 12 ], where a positive correlation between Agreeableness, Empathetic Concern and Perspective Taking were observed. Available data show that people who are often caring about others, may feel inclined to resign from their own needs, in order to meet the needs of others (relations between Agreeableness and Empathetic Concern), which may frustrate them (relation between Agreeableness and Personal Distress).…”

“…Presented results confirm an unanimous relation between the level of Neuroticism and Personal Distress [ 11 , 12 ]. Moreover, all components of Neuroticism have positive correlation with empathy [ 13 ]. Relation between Neuroticism and Perspective Taking are not that explicit.…”

“…Another dimension of FFM, Extraversion, correlates positively with Empathetic Concern and Perspective Taking, and negatively with Personal Distress [ 11 – 13 ]. Extravert people, who are more focused on external world rather than emotions, and who seek contact with others [ 10 ] – are less susceptible to personal distress, as they are less concentrated on their “self”.…”

“…In a study on communication between a general practitioner and a simulated patient, Extraversion and Emotion Recognition Ability, turned to be the most important factors that influenced positive assessment of the relation by patients [ 15 ]. The dimension of Openness and its subcomponents are in a positive correlation with Empathetic Concern and Perspective Taking [ 11 , 13 ]. High levels of Openness, related to high flexibility in thinking and acting, and readiness to introduce changes, seem to be accompanied by empathetic approach to others [ 16 ].…”

“…Costa [ 10 ] state that Conscientiousness and empathy are two independent constructs with no correlations. Bętkowska-Korpała et al [ 13 ], Song and Shi [ 11 ], Guilera et al[ 12 ] indicate, that there is a correlation between Conscientiousness, Perspective Taking and Personal Distress.…”