The Connection Between Anxiety and Empathy in Social Work Students

Anxiety and empathy are familiar concepts for social work students. This study explored levels of anxiety and empathy in a group of students to understand if there was a connection between the two. The participants were current social work students studying at the undergraduate or graduate level. They were studying in in-person and online classrooms. A total of sixty-five participants completed two instruments, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale for anxiety, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) for empathy. Within this sample of social work students, anxiety and empathy were moderately correlated. At p<.05, GAD-7 scores were significantly correlated with total IRI scores (r = .38, p < .01), as well as sub-scores for Fantasy (r = .34, p < .01), Personal Distress (r=.30, p < .05), and Empathic Concern (r = .31, p < .05). GAD-7 scores were not significantly correlated with Perspective Taking. Findings suggest that both educators and practitioners have roles to play in helping emerging professionals develop awareness of their reactions to those with whom they work. Through developing awareness, social workers may be better able to minimize emotional burden and maximize the advantages that come from empathic engagement.