Relationship Between Empathy and Anxiety Among Young Adults

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between empathy and anxiety among young adults. Empathy, as a core component of emotional intelligence, involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, while anxiety reflects emotional tension and apprehension in response to perceived stress or uncertainty. Understanding how these constructs interact during young adulthood—a period characterized by emotional maturity, career development, and social adjustment—provides insight into the psychological well-being of this age group. The study sample consisted of 101 young adults (50 males and 51 females) aged between 18 and 25 years, selected through a convenience sampling technique from the Malappuram district. Standardized tools were used for data collection: the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) for assessing anxiety and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) for measuring empathy. Quantitative research design and statistical analyses were employed using correlation and independent t-tests through SPSS software to determine relationships and group differences based on gender and locality. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (r = .326, p < 0.05) between empathy and anxiety among young adults, indicating that individuals with higher empathy levels tend to experience greater anxiety. This finding suggests that being emotionally attuned to others’ experiences may heighten one’s susceptibility to anxious feelings. However, there were no significant differences in empathy and anxiety based on gender or locality, suggesting that these emotional traits are consistent across demographic subgroups within the sample. The findings imply that while empathy is generally considered a socially valuable and adaptive quality, excessive empathic sensitivity may predispose individuals to emotional distress or anxiety. Therefore, balancing empathy with effective emotional regulation strategies is crucial for psychological well-being. The study underscores the importance of developing interventions—such as mindfulness, yoga, and self-awareness programs—that help young adults manage anxiety while maintaining healthy levels of empathy.