Relationships between empathy, symptoms, and functioning in first episode psychosis.
Kelsey A Bonfils, Lillian A Hammer, Kenneth L Subotnik et al.
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In 30 seconds
This study examined associations between empathy, symptoms, and functioning in 100 people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) participating in a larger randomized controlled trial. At baseline, participants completed two empathy measures and assessments of symptoms, functioning, and other social cognitive constructs. Greater empathy on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index was associated with less severe negative symptoms across multiple domains; associations with positive symptoms and functioning were less evident. Empathy also predicted unique variance in clinical outcomes beyond other social cognitive measures. Both empathy measures had low internal consistency, tempering interpretation of the findings.
Key findings
- Higher Interpersonal Reactivity Index empathy was associated with less severe negative symptoms across multiple domains.
- Associations between empathy and positive symptoms or functioning were less evident.
- Empathy predicted unique variance in clinical outcomes beyond other social cognitive constructs.
- Both empathy measures showed low internal consistency.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that empathy may be relevant to understanding clinical characteristics in FEP, particularly negative symptoms, and may contribute information beyond broader social cognitive measures. However, the weak internal consistency of both empathy instruments limits confidence in measurement and supports further work to improve assessment before drawing firm clinical conclusions.
What to keep in mind
Both empathy measures had low internal consistency. Empathy and clinical measures were assessed at baseline, so the reported associations do not establish direction or causality.