The Impact of Anxiety on Cognitive and Affective Empathy in Undergraduate Students: An Evolutionary Psychology Perspective

This quantitative research study explores the relationships between cognitive empathy, affective empathy, and anxiety among undergraduate students in the UK, aged 18-23 years, framed within an evolutionary psychology perspective. It hypothesised that higher anxiety levels would correlate positively with increased affective empathy, while lower anxiety levels would be associated with enhanced cognitive empathy. Results from an online survey revealed no statistically significant relationships, arguably influenced by a low sample size that limited statistical power, or measurement limitations. Correlation analyses indicated that both types of empathy increased as students progressed through their studies, suggesting that educational experiences may impact these skills. However, linear regression analysis showed that only cognitive empathy had a positive relationship with study year, while anxiety exhibited a non-significant negative trend, indicating that anxiety levels did not significantly decrease over time. Notably, no significant link was found between anxiety and either type of empathy, hinting that these traits may operate independently, or that any subtle effect was undetectable in this study. The findings imply a correlation between the university environment and student empathy levels, although causation could not be definitely established, while anxiety may serve as an adaptive mechanism. Overall, this research highlights the need for larger, more diverse samples in future studies, spanning a wider age range (18-29 years) to encompass the early adulthood psychosocial stage of development. It suggests that understanding these dynamics could inform policies based on mindfulness, aimed at creating supportive academic and workplace situations that encourage both emotional resilience and empathic development, reflecting the evolutionary significance of these traits in human social interactions and wellness.Keywords: Anxiety, Compassion, Empathy, Evolutionary Psychology, Ikigai, Mindfulness