A longitudinal study of dispositional compassion in Syrian origin young adults resettling in the Netherlands

Abstract

Background Dispositional compassion is regarded as a facet of Agreeableness, an emotional driver of prosociality, and a primary marker of adjustment. We examined changes in dispositional compassion in Syrian young adults resettling in the Netherlands, as well as the role of migration-related and demographic variables in this change. Methods We analyzed data from a 4-wave (T1-T4), 13-month longitudinal study ( N = 168; T1 Mage = 28.1 years, 70% male) using Latent Growth Curve Modelling (LGCM) in Mplus. Results Bivariate correlations indicated moderate test-retest correlations across the four waves of dispositional compassion and several correlations with the migration-related and demographic variables. A LGCM indicated a high initial level and small linear decrease in compassion over the four waves. Except for a link between pre-migration adversity and the intercept, the migration-related and demographic variables were not related to either the intercept of the slope of dispositional compassion. Conclusion Results suggest that high levels of dispositional compassion may be common for Syrian young adults with refugee backgrounds, but on average, slowly decreases over time. The cross-sectional associations between migration-related and demographic variables and dispositional compassion in the absence of a prospective one emphasize the importance of longitudinal research for understanding trajectories of adjustment.

Do stressful life events impact long-term well-being? Annual change in well-being following different life events compared to matched controls

“…Our findings align with prior research that showed stability in a variety of outcomes following an event ( Milojev et al, 2014 ; Chopik et al, 2021 , 2022 ; Blackie and McLean, 2022 ; Fassbender et al, 2022 ; Forgeard et al, 2022 ; Jayawickreme et al, 2022 ; Reitz et al, 2022 ) and thus provide further evidence that stability in well-being is the more typical response to major life events (e.g., Infurna et al, 2022 ; Laceulle et al, 2022 ; Serrano et al, 2022 ). Furthermore, in line with growing longitudinal evidence, our results fail to detect evidence for possible post-traumatic growth following major life stressors, insofar as such growth might relate to a broad range of different aspects of well-being ( Davis et al, 2021 ; Rakhshani and Furr, 2021 ; Dorfman et al, 2022 ; Infurna et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Such studies show remarkable stability pre-and post-event across a range of outcomes, including 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1012120 empathy, life satisfaction, religiosity, and personality (Milojev et al, 2014;Chopik et al, 2021Chopik et al, , 2022Blackie and McLean, 2022;Dorfman et al, 2022;Fassbender et al, 2022;Forgeard et al, 2022;Jayawickreme et al, 2022;Reitz et al, 2022). Thus, stability or declines in functioning appear to be the more typical response to adversity, with growth or positive change being much less prevalent than suggested by prior cross-sectional research (Frazier et al, 2009;Davis et al, 2021;Rakhshani and Furr, 2021;Gander and Wagner, 2022;Infurna et al, 2022;Laceulle et al, 2022;Serrano et al, 2022). However, two primary shortcomings in current longitudinal research limit conclusions about growth or resilience.…”

What does a personality science approach to post-traumatic growth reveal?

“…Fassbender et al (2021) observed no average post-event change in empathy or prosociality 6 to 9 months after young adults experienced a major life event, and participants' ratings of the negativity of the experience did not predict changes in these traits. Finally, Laceulle et al (2022) examined changes in compassion over 13 months among young adult Syrian refugees who had recently resettled in the Netherlands. Laceulle and colleagues observed small average decline in trait compassion over time, but pre-migration adversity did not predict differences among individuals in compassion's changes over time.…”