Empathy, diversity, and telepathy in mother-daughter dyads: an empirical investigation utilizing Rogers' conceptual framework

Sch Inq Nurs Pract. 1989 Spring;3(1):29-44.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine empathy, diversity, and telepathy in natural mother-daughter dyads. The investigation was conceptualized and conducted according to the concepts and principles of the Rogerian Science of Unitary Human Beings. The sample for this descriptive study consisted of 180 volunteer mother-daughter dyads; the mother served as the receiver and the child as sender of telepathic messages. Empathy and diversity were expected to be related to telepathy levels. Results indicated that one form of empathy (personal distress) and diversity were significantly (p less than .05) related to telepathy. When the components of the diversity score were further examined, only those subjects who were moderately differentiated and mobile demonstrated significant telepathy scores. Multiple regression analysis showed that 6% of the variance in telepathy was accounted for by diversity and empathy. Findings added to what is known about living systems that manifest negentrophy and evolve toward increasing diversity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Communication
  • Empathy*
  • Female
  • Human Development
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Nursing Theory
  • Telepathy*