Cumulative Dopaminergic Genetic Effects on Empathy Development in Emerging Adults

Empathy plays a critical role in helping emerging adults understand others' emotions, build meaningful connections, and navigate new environments. This study explores the influences of cumulative genetic effects within the dopaminergic pathway on the development of empathic traits and situational empathic responses in emerging adults. Study 1 employed a cross-sectional design with university students (N = 1067, mean age = 19.83 ± 1.63 years) to examine the relationship between the cumulative genetic effects (measured as a weighted genetic score by combining polymorphisms and protective alleles linked to positive psychological traits) and individual differences in empathic traits. Results indicated that the higher genetic scores were significantly associated with greater cognitive and emotional empathy. Study 2 utilized a three-wave longitudinal design over a six-month interval with freshmen (N = 315, mean age = 18.7 ± 0.49 years). This study assessed whether the cumulative genetic effects predicted changes in empathic traits over time. Results showed that the higher genetic scores consistently predicted greater cognitive and emotional empathy at each measurement point. Study 3 used an observational experiment with university students (N = 377, mean age = 24.44 ± 1.733 years) to evaluate situational empathic responses to the misfortune of a dialysis patient. Participants with the higher genetic scores exhibited stronger empathic responses in this context. Together, these findings highlight the significant roles of cumulative genetic effects within dopaminergic pathway in shaping both stable empathic traits and situational empathic responses in emerging adulthood.