SOCIAL INTEGRATION AS A PREDICTOR OF SELF-JUDGMENT: EXAMINING THE MODERATING ROLE OF EMPATHY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

This study investigates the predictive role of social integration in self-judgment among young adults and examines the moderating influence of empathy in these dynamics. In a cross-sectional design, 400 participants (aged 18–25) completed measures of social integration, empathy, and self-judgment. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that lower social integration significantly predicts higher self-judgment. Critically, empathy emerged at a significant moderator, with simple slope analysis revealing that the negative relationship between social integration and self-judgment was strongest for individuals with high empathy, significant but attenuated for those with moderate empathy, and non-significant for those with low empathy. These findings highlight that while social integration serves as a buffer against harsh self-criticism, its protective effect Is conditional upon an individual’s level of empathy. The results highlight the nuanced interplay between social and emotional factors in shaping self-evaluation and suggest that interventions aimed at reducing self-judgment should consider both social connectivity and empathetic sensitivity in young adults’ populations