A review of empathy in social work: A relational and situated practice with directions for further research

Abstract

Summary Empathy is a core value and practice within the international social work profession, yet it is not coherently or consistently understood, which presents challenges for research and practice. This article aims to develop understanding of how empathy has been constructed, researched, and represented. It presents findings from a narrative scoping literature review that included 32 studies from nine countries published between 2000 and 2023. Findings The review identified five categories of studies, dominated by quantitative and theoretical approaches, with a relatively limited contribution from interpretive empirical studies. Underpinned by a diverse range of theoretical perspectives, empathy was predominantly represented as an individual construct with affective, cognitive, behavioral, and social dimensions. Areas of practice development focused on training, with additional focus on organizational and policy contexts, although empirical evidence was limited. Theoretical complexities and conceptual fuzziness present challenges for research and practice, and further research is needed. Applications The article offers a thorough overview of how the concept of empathy has been studied within the international contemporary social work literature. An outline of training to support practice development, focused on affective, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions, and a conceptual model, positioning empathy as a relational and situated social work practice, can be applied in research and practice. Opportunities to develop new understandings of empathy in social work focus on addressing conceptual and theoretical complexities and extending empirical exploration to focus on meanings and experiences of empathic practice from the perspectives of social workers and people who engage with social work services.

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