The Mediating Role of Psychological Gap in the Relationship between Moral Identity and Spiritual Identity with Empathy

Background: One of the effective factors on increasing the quality of education of children with special needs is the empathetic behaviors of educators. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of psychological gap in the relationship between moral identity and spiritual identity with empathy. Method: The present study is a descriptive-correlational study in which 191 employees were selected from the population of exceptional children education staff in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province using random cluster sampling. Research tools included empathy questionnaire, moral identity, spiritual identity and psychological gap. Data analysis was performed by statistical method of structural equation modeling using AMOS software. Results: The results showed that the model of this research is suitable fit. According to the findings, the psychological gap had a mediating role in the relationship between moral identity and spiritual identity with empathy. In this sense, with increasing moral identity and spiritual identity, the psychological gap has decreased and thus empathy has increased. Conclusion: The present research, by presenting a model of empathy, showed that moral identity and spiritual identity through emotional disturbance affect empathic behaviors. Accordingly, it can be achieved by providing the grounds for decreasing the beliefs of non-observance of moral privacy and the orientation of social dominance, led them to behave kindly and sympathetic.