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Ido Shalev, Florina Uzefovsky
(2026).
Empathic disequilibrium: theoretical implications and clinical relevance.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 30(7), 585-598.
Elsevier BV.
- Publication date
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July 2026
- Identifier
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10.1016/j.tics.2025.10.015
- Authors
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Ido Shalev,
Florina Uzefovsky
- Source
- Trends in Cognitive Sciences
- Details
- 30(7), 585-598
- Reference type
- article
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Metadata source
- crossref
Abstract
Empathy is central to social cognition, yet efforts to link it with neurodiverse and clinical conditions have yielded contradictory findings, often reinforcing a deficit-focused narrative that conflicts with individuals' experiences. While traditional models distinguish cognitive (understanding others' emotions) from emotional empathy (being affected by others' emotions), they often neglect how their interplay shapes individual outcomes. Addressing these limitations, this article focuses on the emerging concept of empathic disequilibrium, the intrapersonal imbalance between cognitive and emotional empathy. We synthesise current evidence linking empathic disequilibrium with individual differences in autistic traits and mental health, discuss its potential mechanisms, and propose a framework that recognises empathy as a multifaceted system with interacting components, with implications for advancing theory and practice across cognitive sciences.
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