Abstract:

Abstract: To investigate the relationship between empathy and peer relationships, we conducted a three-level meta-analysis. Through literature retrieval and screening, 29 studies and 57 effect sizes were obtained, with 15682 subjects. Results demonstrated that there is a moderate correlation between empathy and peer relationships (r = 0.24, p <0.001), and it is regulated by the dimensions of empathy, developmental stages, and measurement tools. These results suggest that empathy is closely related to peer relationships. Compared with affective empathy, the relationship between cognitive empathy and peer relationship was stronger. The relationship between empathy and peer relationship is the strongest in middle childhood, followed by preschool and puberty, and weaker in early adulthood. Compared with other measurement tools, the measurement tools which are more consistent with empathy and peer relationships conceptually and measurably, the correlation between empathy and peer relationships is higher, such as the Empathy Questionnaire developed by Rieffe, and the Friendship Quality Scale developed by Bukowski.