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

Ana J. Cañas-Lerma, M. Elena Cuartero-Castañer, Guido Mascialino and Paula Hidalgo-Andrade
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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

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-9

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.

Keywords: empathy; COVID-19; health personnel; university students; Ecuador (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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