Een longitudinaal onderzoek naar empathie van moeders als voorspeller voor empathie van adolescenten, gemedieerd door psychologische controle van moeders.

Abstract

Background: Theories suggest that maternal empathy may play a role in the empathy development of adolescents. However, there is no consistent conclusion regarding this relationship. Aim: This study examined the relationship between maternal empathy and adolescent empathy, as well as the mediating role of maternal psychological control on this relationship. Method: The sample consisted of 381 Dutch adolescents and their mothers. The study employed a longitudinal design with three measurement points (T4, T5, and T6). The participants included 56% boys, with an average age of 15.99 at T4 for adolescents and 47.66 for mothers. Both adolescents and mothers self-reported their levels of empathy, and adolescents also reported on maternal psychological control. Results: A positive relationship was found between maternal empathy and adolescent empathy, and a negative relationship was found between maternal empathy and maternal psychological control. Furthermore, there appeared to be no mediating role of psychological control. Conclusion: High levels of maternal empathy are associated with high levels of adolescent empathy and low levels of maternal psychological control.