Dispositional Empathy in Neglectful Mothers and Mothers at High Risk for Child Physical Abuse

• NCJ Number: 237065
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 670-684
• Author(s): Joaquin de Paul; Alicia Perez-Albeniz; Maria Guibert; Nagore Asia; Amaia Ormaechea
• Date Published: May 2008
• Length: 15 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigates whether mothers who are neglectful and at high risk for child physical abuse present a deficit in empathy.

Abstract

Participants were neglectful mothers (n = 37), mothers at high risk for child physical abuse (n = 22), and nonmaltreating mothers (n = 37). The Interpersonal Reactivity Index, a self-report measure assessing specific dimensions of empathy, was used to assess dispositional empathy. No differences between neglectful and non-neglectful mothers were found for perspective taking, empathic concern, and personal distress. High-risk mothers reported less perspective taking and more personal distress than nonmaltreating mothers. No difference between groups was found for empathic concern. The present study supported the hypothesis that parents at high risk for child physical abuse show a deficit in particular aspects of dispositional empathy: personal distress and perspective taking. However, no differences were found between neglectful and nonmaltreating mothers in any dimension of dispositional empathy. (Published Abstract)