How do childhood abuse and neglect affect prosocial behavior? The mediating roles of different empathic components

Peiyi Chen; Qiaofen Zhang; Xiyuan Sun; Xiaoyang Ye; You Wang; Xueling Yang

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051258

How do childhood abuse and neglect affect prosocial behavior? The mediating roles of different empathic components

Front Psychol. 2023 Jan 17:13:1051258. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051258. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Peiyi Chen¹, Qiaofen Zhang¹, Xiyuan Sun¹, Xiaoyang Ye², You Wang^{1

3}, Xueling Yang^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
² Department of Artificial Intelligence, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, Guangxi, China.
³ Department of Psychiatry, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Abstract

Background: Childhood abuse and neglect are typically considered as two different forms of maltreatment. Previous international studies have found differential effects of abuse and neglect on prosocial behavior, but this and the mediating pathway underlying these associations have not been examined in a Chinese sample. Our study aims to examine the effects of childhood abuse and neglect on prosocial behavior in Chinese participants and test the unique mediating roles of different empathic components in these associations.

Methods: A total of 1,569 young adults (average age = 18.17 years) were recruited from a college that enrolls students from all provinces of China. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and Prosocial Tendencies Measure. Path analysis was conducted to determine the mediational relationships.

Results: Emotional neglect had significant direct effect on prosocial behavior (β = -0.108, p < 0.001), and could also impact prosocial behavior through the mediating roles of perspective-taking and empathic concern (effect size = -0.091 and -0.097 respectively, p < 0.001). Emotional abuse affected prosocial behavior only through personal distress (effect size = -0.072, p < 0.001). Physical abuse, sexual abuse and physical neglect have little effect on prosocial behavior and empathy.

Conclusion: Childhood abuse and neglect have distinct influences on prosocial behavior. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect affect prosocial behavior through distinct pathways. This conclusion could help to establish precise interventions for improving prosocial behavior in maltreated individuals.

Keywords: abuse; empathic concern; neglect; personal distress; perspective-taking; prosocial behavior.