The Role of Empathy as a Mediator Between Callous-Unemotional Traits and Bullying

Abstract

Objectives: The present study examines the role of empathy as a mediator between callous-unemotional traits and bullying among students. Methods: The present descriptive correlational study was conducted on 250 students selected from the 14th district of Tehran, Iran through cluster sampling in the academic year of 2017 - 2018. The subjects completed the inventory of callous-unemotional traits (ICUT), the empathy scale and the Illinois bully scale (IBS). The data collected were analyzed in SPSS-23 and AMOS-23 using statistical correlations and structural equation modeling. Results: The present results suggested that the effect of callous-unemotional Traits on empathy is negative and significant (-0.44) and on bullying is positive and significant (0.48). Empathy also exerted a positive and significant effect on bullying (0.30). Callous-unemotional traits indirectly affected bullying with empathy as the mediator. Conclusions: Authorities of schools and organizations are recommended to teach empathy to students to reduce the incidence of student bullying.