Personal values as early predictors of emotional and cognitive empathy among medical students

Abstract The present study contributes to the literature by examining association between personal values (PVs), assessed with Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire, and empathy, Davis’ Interpersonal Reactivity Index, in a sample of first-year medical students. We also examined students’ PVs profile gender differences terms PVs. All participants ( N = 398) were Italian, young (average age 19.62 years, SD 1.22), unmarried; none had children. Zero-order correlations hierarchical multiple regression models performed verify empathy; contrast, t-tests run explore scoring on Benevolence Universalism correlated positively both emotional cognitive dimensions whereas Power, Achievement, Hedonism, Security negatively associated empathy. three most important whole Benevolence, Self-Direction, Universalism. Male students outscored their female counterparts males Universalism, Conformity, Tradition. Our findings highlight importance fostering self-transcending discouraging self-enhancing during early years school, as means supporting other-oriented responses such empathy future doctors.