Neurodevelopmental disorders and empathy

Year 2019, , 585 - 595, 01.12.2019

Merve Günay Ay , Birim Günay Kılıç

https://doi.org/10.21601/ortadogutipdergisi.527937

Abstract

A successful social interaction depends on the social cognitive traits that are defined as the ability to understand other people’s feelings and what goes through their minds. Inability to correctly assess the motivation of other’s feelings and behaviors, and anger control disorders are among the underlying causes of violent behaviors that have been escalating in our day. On the other hand, there is a negative relationship between empathy and criminal behavior. In this context, the role of neurodevelopmental disorders in the development of such behaviors have been discussed. It has been reported that neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (OSD), specific learning disabilities, and intellectual disability may have negative effects on empathy development. Children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially ADHD, are experiencing developmental difficulties in cognitive, emotional, academic, and social areas. However, in the research, inconsistent findings related to difficulties in interpreting social cues and empathy skills in ADHD have been found, and it has been suggested that this may be related to comorbid psychopathologies. It has been determined that cognitive impairment is deteriorated in OSD due to social cognitive problems. In this article, it is aimed to review the literature on development of empathy in neurodevelopmental disorders, especially ADHD. Key words such as ‘empathy’, ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’, ‘autism’, ‘learning disabilities’ were entered in this direction and Medline, PSYCInfo and Turkish Medical Journal were scanned from 1990.

Keywords

empathy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, learning disabilities

Nörogelişimsel bozukluklar ve empati

Abstract

Başarılı bir sosyal etkileşim, diğer insanların duygularını ve zihninden geçenleri anlayabilme yeteneği olarak tanımlanan sosyal bilişsel özelliklere bağlıdır. Başkalarının duygularını ve davranışlarındaki motivasyonu doğru değerlendirememe ve öfke kontrol bozuklukları çağımızda tırmanışta olan şiddet davranışlarının altında yatan nedenler arasında sayılmaktadır. Öte yandan empati ve suç davranışları arasında olumsuz yönde bir ilişki olduğu üzerinde durulmaktadır. Bu bağlamda nörogelişimsel bozuklukların bu tip davranışların gelişiminde rolü tartışılmaktadır. Dikkat eksikliği hiperaktivite bozukluğu (DEHB), otizm spektrum bozuklukları (OSB), özgül öğrenme bozukluğu, anlıksal yetiyitimi gibi nörogelişimsel bozuklukların empati gelişimi üzerine olumsuz etkileri olabileceği bildirilmektedir. Özellikle DEHB başta olmak üzere nörogelişimsel bozukluğu olan çocuk ve ergenler, bilişsel, duygusal, akademik ve sosyal alanlarda gelişimsel zorluklar yaşamaktadır. Ancak araştırmalarda DEHB’de sosyal ipuçlarını yorumlama güçlükleri ve empati becerileri ile ilgili tutarsız bulgular saptanmış ve bu durumun komorbid psikopatolojilerle ilişkili olabileceği ileri sürülmüştür. OSB’de de sosyal biliş sorunlarına bağlı olarak bilişsel empatide bozulmalar olduğu saptanmıştır. Bu yazıda, başta DEHB olmak üzere nörogelişimsel bozukluklarda empati gelişimi ile ilgili yazın bilgilerinin gözden geçirilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Bu doğrultuda ‘empati’, ‘dikkat eksikliği hiperaktivite bozukluğu’, ‘otizm’, ‘disleksi’, gibi anahtar sözcükleri girilerek Medline, PSYCInfo ve Türk Tıp Dizini 1990 yılından itibaren taranmıştır.

Keywords

empati, dikkat eksikliği hiperaktivite bozukluğu, otizm, disleksi

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