A phenomenological study on citizens' experiences of empathy role during COVID-19 pandemic

The present study intended to identify the dimensions of the experience of empathetic behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted with a qualitative approach and phenomenological method between Oct. to Nov. 2021. The research population included citizens aged 20 to 70 living in Tehran. The research sample consisted of 17 people (eight women and nine men) from this population, who were selected through convenience sampling (voluntary sampling type) taking into account the principle of saturation. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, and the data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of data analysis. The findings of the study led to the formation of two main themes: "The role of empathy in preventive, confrontational, and supportive behaviors" and "Consequences of empathy". The first main theme consisted of seven subthemes and the second main theme consisted of two subthemes. It seems that, during the pandemic, individuals have experienced empathy in the form of supportive and caring roles such as spiritual, financial, and social support of others with the aim of maintaining the health of themselves, their relatives, and society. However, from their point of view, empathy has also some positive and negative consequences. It seems that empathy as a humanitarian feeling in critical situations, including epidemics, can have effective functions, and its occurrence and spread in these situations may help in performing appropriate behaviors and controlling the situation. It is recommended that future studies investigate the experience of empathy among residents of villages and other cities during the COVID-19 pandemic.