This study aims at investigating the relationship between parenting practices and the empathy levels in 77 children with ages ranging from 6 to 12. Thirty seven of them lived in foster homes; eight lived in a shelter, which provided a long term residence (Small shelter) and 29 children lived in a short term residence shelter (Big shelter). The remaining 40 children lived at home with their own families (Home). Empathy was evaluated by using two instruments: An empathy scale for children and adolescents and interviews based on selected video clips showing scenes, which aimed at eliciting anger, sadness, happiness and fear. The parenting practices were evaluated through interviews. Big Shelter children presented lower scores both, in terms of empathy, as well as of parenting, when compared to Small Shelter and Home children, This pattern of results suggests that the practices adopted by parents or caregivers affect the development of empathy in children.
Parenting practices; empathy; children
