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Empathy and COVID-19: Study in Professionals and Students of the Social Health Field in Ecuador

Author

Listed:
  • Ana J. Cañas-Lerma

    (Philosophy and Social Work Department, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Crta. Valldemossa Km 7.5., 07122 Palma, Spain)

  • M. Elena Cuartero-Castañer

    (Philosophy and Social Work Department, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Crta. Valldemossa Km 7.5., 07122 Palma, Spain)

  • Guido Mascialino

    (School of Psychology, Universidad de Las Américas, Av. de los Granados E-12-41 y Colimes esq., Quito EC170125, Ecuador)

  • Paula Hidalgo-Andrade

    (School of Psychology, Universidad de Las Américas, Av. de los Granados E-12-41 y Colimes esq., Quito EC170125, Ecuador)

Abstract

Empathy plays a fundamental role in health related occupations. In this study, we analysed empathy levels in professionals (117) and students (170) from various healthcare fields in Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index was used in an online survey. The results show high levels of empathy in both groups, influenced by age and gender. The students presented higher levels of personal distress, and their age was negatively correlated to empathy. Additionally, professionals working in physical health scored higher levels of personal distress compared to those in the field of emotional health. COVID-19 has placed social health systems in great stress. Despite this, the personal capacities for empathy of both students and health professionals have not been diminished.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana J. Cañas-Lerma & M. Elena Cuartero-Castañer & Guido Mascialino & Paula Hidalgo-Andrade, 2021. "Empathy and COVID-19: Study in Professionals and Students of the Social Health Field in Ecuador," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:1:p:338-:d:474877
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guo, Qingke & Sun, Peng & Cai, Minghang & Zhang, Xiling & Song, Kexin, 2019. "Why are smarter individuals more prosocial? A study on the mediating roles of empathy and moral identity," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1-8.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raimundo Aguayo-Estremera & Gustavo R. Cañadas & Elena Ortega-Campos & Laura Pradas-Hernández & Begoña Martos-Cabrera & Almudena Velando-Soriano & Emilia I. de la Fuente-Solana, 2022. "Levels of Burnout and Engagement after COVID-19 among Psychology and Nursing Students in Spain: A Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.

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