ERIC Number: ED662495
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Empathy in Context: Socioeconomic Status as a Moderator of the Link between Empathic Accuracy and Well-Being in Married Couples
Emily F. Hittner; Claudia M. Haase
Grantee Submission, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships v38 n5 p1633-1654 2021
The present laboratory-based study investigated socioeconomic status (SES) as a moderator of the association between empathic accuracy and well-being among married couples from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Empathic accuracy was measured using a performance-based measure of empathic accuracy for one's spouse's negative emotions during a marital conflict conversation. Aspects of well-being included well-being (i.e., positive affect, life satisfaction), ill-being (i.e., negative affect, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms), and marital satisfaction. SES was measured using a composite score of income and education. Findings showed that SES moderated associations between empathic accuracy and well-being. Empathic accuracy was beneficial (for well-being and ill-being) or not harmful (for marital satisfaction) at low levels of SES. In contrast, empathic accuracy was not beneficial (for well-being and ill-being) or harmful (for marital satisfaction) at high levels of SES. Results were robust (controlled for age, gender, and race). Findings are discussed in light of interdependence vs. independence in low- vs. high-SES contexts and highlight the importance of socioeconomic context in determining whether empathic accuracy benefits well-being or not.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Illinois (Chicago)
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Locke Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale; Positive and Negative Affect Schedule; Beck Anxiety Inventory; Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305B140042