Interaction between the BDNF rs11030101 genotype and job stress on cognitive empathy

Empathy refers to an individual's ability to experience the emotional and cognitive processes of another person during social interactions. Although many studies have examined the effects of genetic variation on emotional empathy, little is currently known about whether genetic factors may influence cognitive empathy. This study investigated the relationship between BDNF rs11030101 genotype, job stress, and empathy, especially cognitive empathy, in a Chinese Han population.

A cross-sectional design was used and 340 participants were recruited from a university in Beijing. Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was used to measure empathy. Job stress was measured using House and Rizzo's Job Stress Scale. The BDNF rs11030101 was genotyped in all participants.

Gender and age were associated with various IRI subscales (p < 0.001). After controlling for gender, age and education level, BDNF rs11030101 genotype had no main effect on all empathy subscales (p > 0.05). Job stress was negatively associated with Perspective Taking (p = 0.006) and positively associated with Personal Distress (p < 0.001). In addition, the BDNF rs11030101 genotype modulated the relationship between job stress and Fantasy (p = 0.013), indicating that T allele carriers had higher Fantasy scores at higher job stress and lower Fantasy scores at lower job stress than AA homozygotes. This interaction was only present in women.

The sample size and single-nucleotide polymorphism are limited, and the cross-sectional design should be improved.

Female university faculty with the BDNF rs11030101 T allele may utilize higher emotional job demands, thereby fostering their cognitive empathy.