ATTITUDES TOWARDS HEALTH, HEALTH BEHAVIOR, AND PERSONALITY-FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL STUDENTS VERY HIGH ON EMPATHY

It was hypothesized that school students very high on empathy would have better self-esteem, behave in a healthier manner, and also have more positive attitudes towards health behaviour than the least empathetic ones. Students were from a comprehensive school, from gymnasium, and from vocational school (Ns = 4268, 2205 girls, 2063 boys, aged 14 to 20 yr.). A modified Mehrabian and Epstein Empathy Scale and the Sensitivity scale were given. The Battle Self-esteem Scale, Form AD measured self-esteem and the Osborn and Harris Scale assertiveness. As a narcissism measure we used the modified Emmons Narcissism Scale. Scores were divided into quartiles. The most empathetic students were compared with the least empathetic ones; the former were more assertive, less narcissistic, less self-focussed, and more sensitive. They had more positive attitudes towards health behaviour: they smoked less and used less alcohol than the least empathetic ones. A holistic empathetic trend is seen in thoughts and in behaviour, which works against narcissism. These results confirm that humans need education on empathy in schools to promote mental growth and health behaviour.