Perception of Parental Acceptance and Rejection in Emotionally Empathic and Non-Empathic Adolescents

Abstract

The study explores the differences in perception of parental acceptance and rejection between emotionally empathic and non-empathic adolescents. A sample of 205 adolescents (100 girls and 105 boys) aged 13–17 years was taken from private, government, and semi-government schools in Wah Cantt. Two groups were formed: one group of emotionally empathic adolescents (68 individuals) and one group of non-empathic adolescents (68 individuals). The study utilized the Emotional Empathy Scale and Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) to collect data. Results revealed that emotionally empathic adolescents had more positive perceptions of parental warmth and less negative perceptions of parental aggression, neglect, and rejection compared to non-empathic adolescents. The findings underline the role of parental behavior in fostering emotional empathy in adolescents.