Variables Impacting Dispositional Empathy in Doctoral Psychology Students

The purpose of this study was to explore variables impacting dispositional empathy in doctoral psychology students. While there is a great deal of research regarding empathy in practicing psychologists and mental health professionals, little is known about empathy in psychology trainees. This is especially surprising given the importance of empathy to the therapeutic outcome; empathy is thought to be a central component of the therapeutic process and may have even more of an influence on outcome than the orientation or method of the therapist. This study used a quasi-experimental design to explore how demographic variables and aspects of training, specifically field placement satisfaction and burnout, may influence empathy in doctoral psychology students. One-hundred and forty-two students from Clinical Psy.D., Clinical Psychology Ph.D., and Counseling Psychology Ph.D. programs completed an online survey assessing demographic information, empathy levels, field placement satisfaction, and burnout. Field placement satisfaction was revealed to be positively associated with empathy, while burnout was negatively correlated with empathy. Differences in empathy were also revealed depending on gender, program type, program year, marital status, education, and previous experience in the mental health field. It is hoped that by learning more about variables that may encourage or hinder empathy, doctoral psychology programs will be better able to foster empathy in their students and support those who may be struggling to maintain empathy levels. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]