Oksana Ze1, Patrizia Thoma, Boris Suchan. 1. a Department of Neuropsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience , Ruhr-University Bochum , Bochum , Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to elucidate how cognitive and affective empathy differ across age groups and how these differences might relate to executive dysfunction. METHODS: In study I, we assessed 108 healthy participants in three consecutive age groups (20-39 years/40-59 years/60-79 years) using a self-report measure of trait cognitive and affective empathy (interpersonal reactivity index: IRI). In study II, 54 younger (20-35 years) and 54 older (55-70 years) individuals completed a test of state cognitive and affective empathy (multifaceted empathy test: MET). Additionally, measures of cognitive flexibility, response inhibition, and working memory were administered. RESULTS: Older and younger adults were comparable with regard to trait empathy (study I). Contrary to most previous findings, older adults did not show impaired state-cognitive empathy, but scored higher on subtests of state-affective empathy relative to the younger group, irrespective of the valence of the stimulus material (study II). Performance on the executive subtests was related to empathy in both studies. DISCUSSION: While older and younger cohorts might not differ with regard to trait empathy, and state-cognitive empathy performance might be task-dependent, this investigation provides first evidence of potentially increased state affective empathic responding in older age. This might be related to executive dysfunction, in particular poor inhibitory control.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to elucidate how cognitive and affective empathy differ across age groups and how these differences might relate to executive dysfunction. METHODS: In study I, we assessed 108 healthy participants in three consecutive age groups (20-39 years/40-59 years/60-79 years) using a self-report measure of trait cognitive and affective empathy (interpersonal reactivity index: IRI). In study II, 54 younger (20-35 years) and 54 older (55-70 years) individuals completed a test of state cognitive and affective empathy (multifaceted empathy test: MET). Additionally, measures of cognitive flexibility, response inhibition, and working memory were administered. RESULTS: Older and younger adults were comparable with regard to trait empathy (study I). Contrary to most previous findings, older adults did not show impaired state-cognitive empathy, but scored higher on subtests of state-affective empathy relative to the younger group, irrespective of the valence of the stimulus material (study II). Performance on the executive subtests was related to empathy in both studies. DISCUSSION: While older and younger cohorts might not differ with regard to trait empathy, and state-cognitive empathy performance might be task-dependent, this investigation provides first evidence of potentially increased state affective empathic responding in older age. This might be related to executive dysfunction, in particular poor inhibitory control.
Authors: Eranda Jayawickreme; Frank J Infurna; Kinan Alajak; Laura E R Blackie; William J Chopik; Joanne M Chung; Anna Dorfman; William Fleeson; Marie J C Forgeard; Patricia Frazier; R Michael Furr; Igor Grossmann; Aaron S Heller; Odilia M Laceulle; Richard E Lucas; Maike Luhmann; Gloria Luong; Laurien Meijer; Kate C McLean; Crystal L Park; Ann Marie Roepke; Zeina Al Sawaf; Howard Tennen; Rebecca M B White; Renée Zonneveld Journal: J Pers Date: 2020-09-23
Authors: Elizabeth K Rhodus; Justin Barber; Erin L Abner; Shoshana H Bardach; Allison Gibson; Gregory A Jicha Journal: Aging Ment Health Date: 2020-11-23 Impact factor: 3.658