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Youths’ interpersonal relationships: The roles of empathy and spirituality
Author(s)
Date Issued
2025
Publisher
Atlantis Press International BV
ISBN
9789464639537
9789464639544
ISSN
2667-128X
Citation
Chow, K. Y., & Chui, R. C. F. (2025). Youths’ interpersonal relationships: The roles of empathy and spirituality. In Chan, A. C. K., Lai, L. C. H., Lau, E. Y. Y., Kong, R. H. M., Chui, R. C. F., Lam, B. Y. H., Lee, T. C. P., Tsui, I. S. Y., & Leung, M. (Eds.). Proceedings of the positive psychology 2.0 international conference 2025 (PP 2.0 2025). Positive Psychology 2.0 International Conference 2025 (PP 2.0 2025), Tung Wah College, Hong Kong (pp. 243-249). Atlantis Press.
Description
Open access
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
This study examines the impact of spirituality and empathy on interpersonal relationships among Hong Kong youth, addressing two research questions: (1) What is the relationship of spirituality and empathy with interpersonal relationships? (2) Will empathy mediate the relationship between spirituality and interpersonal relationships? A quantitative study was conducted with 203 participants aged 15–24 (mean age = 19.7; 72.4% female; 62.1% with bachelor’s degrees) using validated scales (the Spirituality Scale, the Interpersonal Assessment Scale and the Empathy Scale). The results showed that spirituality is positively related to empathy (β = 0.16, p = 0.02) and that empathy is positively related to interpersonal relationships (β = 0.20, p = 0.01). However, spirituality has a direct negative relationship with interpersonal relationships (β = -0.28, p = .02). The direct negative effect overshadows the indirect positive effect, resulting in a negligible overall impact of spirituality on interpersonal relationships (β=-.13, p=.05). The findings clarify the complicated effects of spirituality on youth social well-being, while highlighting the importance of promoting empathy to enhance youth interpersonal relationships. These results inform interventions aimed at fostering healthier relationships among post-pandemic youth.
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