Empathy in Early Adulthood: The Role of Big Five Personality Traits and Self-Compassion

Miqdad Daly  Ahmad; Diah Liandary Nurmaulida; Aulia  Maharani; Maysaroh Azmia Ummi  Najaa; A. Annisa Alifah Abbas; Vibby Sawa Assabil; Fitrah Metta Rilo Pambudi; Rizka Aulia Zenitha; Mahardika Hizbullah A. S.

doi:10.22373/psikoislamedia.v11i1.33322

Authors

Miqdad Daly Ahmad Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
Diah Liandary Nurmaulida Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
Aulia Maharani Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
Maysaroh Azmia Ummi Najaa Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
A. Annisa Alifah Abbas Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
Vibby Sawa Assabil Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
Fitrah Metta Rilo Pambudi Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
Rizka Aulia Zenitha Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia
Mahardika Hizbullah A. S. Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22373/psikoislamedia.v11i1.33322

Keywords:

empathy, Big Five Personality, self-compassion, early adulthood, gender differences, age differences

Abstract

Empathy is a crucial capacity in early adulthood, as it supports interpersonal relationships and mental health. This study examined the effects of Big Five personality traits and self-compassion on empathy, as well as differences in empathy by gender and age. A correlational design was employed with 207 participants aged 18–23 years who were recruited through convenience sampling. The instruments included the Big Five Personality Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Basic Empathy Scale. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression, independent-samples t tests, and one-way ANOVA. The results showed that Big Five personality traits and self-compassion jointly predicted empathy. However, only agreeableness and neuroticism were significant individual predictors, whereas extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, and self-compassion were not statistically significant. Gender comparisons indicated that females scored higher than males on neuroticism and empathy. Age-group analyses revealed significant differences in agreeableness. These findings indicate that empathy in early adulthood is primarily shaped by interpersonal personality characteristics and emotional sensitivity, with gender playing a role, whereas age differences within this range are less influential.

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