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Associations of Self-Efficacy, Optimism, and Empathy with Psychological Health in Healthcare Volunteers

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Dionigi

    (Italian Federation of Clown Doctors (FNC), via Rovescio 2185, 47023 Bagnile di Cesena (FC), Italy)

  • Giulia Casu

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

  • Paola Gremigni

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

Optimism and self-efficacy have been associated with psychological health. Empathy has also been found to have a unique role in community health volunteering and promote positive functioning. This study investigated whether self-efficacy and optimism were associated with psychological health in terms of psychological and subjective well-being in healthcare volunteers. It also investigated whether empathy added to the explanation of psychological health, over and above that accounted for by self-efficacy and optimism. A convenience sample of 160 Italian clown doctors volunteering in various hospitals completed self-report measures of self-efficacy, optimism, empathy, psychological well-being, and subjective well-being. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy and optimism were associated with both outcomes and that aspects of empathy, such as others’ perspective taking and personal distress for others’ difficulties, added to the explanation of psychological health with opposite effects. The present study adds to previous research on the role of self-efficacy, optimism, and empathy for community health volunteers’ psychological health. It also offers suggestions regarding the training for this type of volunteer.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Dionigi & Giulia Casu & Paola Gremigni, 2020. "Associations of Self-Efficacy, Optimism, and Empathy with Psychological Health in Healthcare Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:6001-:d:400602
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Veronika Huta & Alan Waterman, 2014. "Eudaimonia and Its Distinction from Hedonia: Developing a Classification and Terminology for Understanding Conceptual and Operational Definitions," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1425-1456, December.
    3. Ezequiel Gleichgerrcht & Jean Decety, 2013. "Empathy in Clinical Practice: How Individual Dispositions, Gender, and Experience Moderate Empathic Concern, Burnout, and Emotional Distress in Physicians," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(4), pages 1-12, April.
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    5. Yandan Wu & Chunxiao Li, 2019. "Helping Others Helps? A Self-Determination Theory Approach on Work Climate and Wellbeing among Volunteers," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(4), pages 1099-1111, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Masaya Kobayashi & Hikari Ishido & Jiro Mizushima & Hirotaka Ishikawa, 2022. "Multi-Dimensional Dynamics of Psychological Health Disparities under the COVID-19 in Japan: Fairness/Justice in Socio-Economic and Ethico-Political Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-45, December.
    2. Pierluigi Diotaiuti & Stefania Mancone & Stefano Corrado, 2022. "Motivations and Personal Traits Can Predict Self-Efficacy of the Clown Therapist: A Descriptive Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Qi Li & Ronglei Luo & Xiaoya Zhang & Guangteng Meng & Bibing Dai & Xun Liu, 2021. "Intolerance of COVID-19-Related Uncertainty and Negative Emotions among Chinese Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Model of Risk Perception, Social Exclusion and Perceived Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-15, March.

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