The relations of empathy to prosocial behaviorand mental health problems among adolescents

Truong Thi Thu Thao * , Nguyen Phuoc Cat Tuong , Dinh Thi Hong Van , Nguyen Thi Thuy , Nguyen Thi Hong Yen and Nguyen Thi Thu Hien

* Corresponding author: (tttthao@dhsphue.edu.vn)

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Received: Apr 13, 2024
Revised: Jun 20, 2024
Accepted: Jun 24, 2024
Published: Feb 20, 2026
Title: The relations of empathy to prosocial behaviorand mental health problems among adolescents
DOI: 10.26459/jse.023.2026
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Thảo, T. T. T., Tường, N. P. C., Vân, Đ. T. H., Thúy, N. T., Yến, N. T. H., & Hiền, N. T. T. (2026). The relations of empathy to prosocial behaviorand mental health problems among adolescents. Journal of Science and Education, 66(01), 167-174. https://doi.org/10.26459/jse.023.2026
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Vol. 66 No. 01 (2026): Journal of Science and Education
Section
Journal of Science and Education

Abstract

Empathy plays a vital role in promoting social relationships during adolescence. This study aims to assess the relationships between components of empathy, prosocial behavior, and mental health problems. A total of 446 middle school and high school students (48.2% male) completed the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results showed that affective empathy (emotional contagion) and cognitive empathy were positively correlated with prosocial behavior, while emotional disconnection was negatively correlated. The relationship between empathy and mental health problems revealed different patterns depending on the component of empathy and the type of problem (internalizing/externalizing). Cognitive empathy inversely predicted externalizing problems across both gender groups. The risk associated with affective empathy for both internalizing and externalizing problems was highlighted in females. Emotional disconnection did not exhibit significant relationships with mental health problems in this study.
Keywords: Empathy, Prosocial behavior, Mental health, Internalizing problems, Externalizing problems, Adolescents

Tóm tắt

Đồng cảm đóng vai trò quan trọng trong việc thúc đẩy các mối quan hệ xã hội ở lứa tuổi thanh thiếu niên. Nghiên cứu này được tiến hành nhằm xem xét mối quan hệ giữa các thành phần của đồng cảm và hành vi xã hội tích cực, các vấn đề về sức khỏe tâm thần. Có 446 học sinh THCS và THPT (48,2% nam) đã hoàn thành Thang đo Đồng cảm Cơ bản (Basic Empathy Scale) và Bảng hỏi Điểm mạnh và Khó khăn (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). Kết quả cho thấy đồng cảm cảm xúc và đồng cảm nhận thức tương quan thuận, sự ngắt kết nối cảm xúc tương quan nghịch với hành vi xã hội tích cực. Mối tương quan giữa đồng cảm và các vấn đề về sức khỏe tâm thần cho thấy những chiều hướng khác nhau tùy thuộc vào thành phần đồng cảm, nhóm vấn đề sức khỏe tâm thần (hướng nội/ hướng ngoại). Đồng cảm nhận thức dự báo cho vấn đề hướng ngoại theo chiều nghịch ở cả nam và nữ. Mối nguy hại của đồng cảm cảm xúc đối với các vấn đề hướng nội và hướng ngoại của sức khỏe tâm thần thể hiện rõ rệt hơn ở nữ giới. Sự ngắt kết nối cảm xúc và các vấn đề sức khỏe tâm thần không cho thấy mối liên hệ trong nghiên cứu này.
Từ khóa: Đồng cảm, Hành vi xã hội tích cực, Sức khỏe tâm thần, Vấn đề hướng nội, Vấn đề hướng ngoại, Thanh thiếu niên

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