Academic Journal

Dispositional Empathy Among Psychotherapists: A Latent Profile Analysis.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Dispositional Empathy Among Psychotherapists: A Latent Profile Analysis.
Authors: Lachance V; Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada., Laverdière O; Department of Psychology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada., Kealy D; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada., Ogrodniczuk JS; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Source: Clinical psychology & psychotherapy [Clin Psychol Psychother] 2024 May-Jun; Vol. 31 (3), pp. e3016.
Abstract: Objective: This study examined therapists' dispositional empathy profiles and how they differ based on professional and personal characteristics.
Method: A total of 376 clinicians was recruited for this study. Dispositional empathy was assessed with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Profiles were generated using latent profile analysis. Predictors of profiles were assessed with multiple self-report questionnaires measuring demographic and professional characteristics, romantic attachment styles, five-factor personality traits and vulnerable narcissism.
Results: A four-profile solution was retained with the following proportions: rational empathic (20%), disengaged/detached (10%), empathic immersion (35%) and insecure/self-absorbed (35%). Overall, few relationships were found regarding demographic and professional characteristics. In contrast, significant relationships were found between profile membership and personal characteristics, including avoidant and anxious attachment, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, intellect/imagination and vulnerable narcissism.
Conclusion: The findings show that differences in therapists' empathic dispositions are linked to personality dimensions. Implications for psychotherapy research, practice and training are discussed.
(© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9416196 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1099-0879 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10633995 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Clin Psychol Psychother Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Chichester, West Sussex, England : John Wiley & Sons, c1993-
MeSH Terms: Empathy* , Psychotherapists*/psychology , Psychotherapists*/statistics & numerical data, Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Personality ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Professional-Patient Relations ; Narcissism
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Grant Information: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council; Fonds de Recherche du Québec Society and Culture
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: empathy; latent profile analysis; personality; psychotherapy; therapists
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20240611 Date Completed: 20240611 Latest Revision: 20240611
Update Code: 20240611
DOI: 10.1002/cpp.3016
PMID: 38859691
ISSN: 1099-0879
DOI: 10.1002/cpp.3016
Database: MEDLINE