Bullying is a highly prevalent phenomenon that can have an array of negative impacts on both victims and perpetrators' long-term health and wellbeing. Despite the widespread assumption that empathy should be a key target for anti-bullying interventions, research examining this relationship is surprisingly scarce, and the evidence base informing the implementation of empathy-focused interventions remains in its infancy. Our study examined how affective and cognitive empathy predict the status of victim, bully, and bully-victim, using data from the Stand Together trial. This is a longitudinal trial with data collected in 2021 and 2022 from 5167 primary school children aged 6-11 years, including measures of empathy, victimisation, and involvement in bullying. We conducted a secondary data analysis using propensity score matching and multinomial logistic regression to explore how children’s self-reported empathy towards victims of bullying at baseline predicted their role in bullying at one year follow-up. Consistent with existing literature, we found that low affective empathy was a significant predictor of bullying at follow-up (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.84, 0.95], p < .001), but so was low cognitive empathy (OR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.83, 0.98], p < .05. Surprisingly, we also found that both high affective (OR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.06, 1.10], p < .001) and cognitive (OR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.09,1.15], p < 0.001) empathy predicted later victimisation. We also discovered some evidence that high cognitive empathy is a predictor of a later status as a bully-victim (OR = 1.05, 95% CI [1.00,1.10], p < 0.05). The findings identify a new risk factor for peer victimisation. We discuss how these findings can inform the strategic integration of empathy training to enhance the effectiveness of bullying prevention efforts

This study aimed to look at both affective and cognitive empathy in three emotions: happy, sad, and anger, and see which predicts prosocial behaviors among children. A total of 223 preschool children, with ages ranging from 3 to 6.6 years old (M=4.34, SD=.63) participated. Each child individually watched three different short films corresponding to three different emotions happy, sad, and angry. To measure affective empathy, their facial expressions were recorded as they watch, and then scored according to the degree of match between the emotions of the characters in the film and the children’s facial expressions. To measure cognitive empathy, children were interviewed regarding the films that they watched, and their responses were scored according to their understanding of the emotions of the characters in the clips. Prosocial behaviors were measured in two ways: the latency by which the child would help in picking up the crayons that fell on the floor and the degree to which the child would comfort the researcher who hurt herself with the clipboard. Regression analysis showed that among cognitive empathy, it was understanding sadness and anger which significantly predict prosocial behavior. Among affective empathy, however, it was feeling happiness and sadness which significantly predict prosocial behavior. These findings contribute on how we understand empathy and emotions and its relation to prosocial behaviors. Implications and applications were further discussed and elaborated.

Following the relaxation of the almost four-decade-long one-child policy in China, a new sib-free generation of parents is becoming parents to siblings without guidance from established cultural models. This study examines how mothers and firstborn children adapt to this significant transition by following 155 mothers expecting their second child through pregnancy and into the early postnatal period in China. To assess the complex impacts of this transition on family dynamics, we apply a family resilience framework (FRF), which highlights the value of family cohesion and adaptability during stressful periods. Time 1 data from questionnaires, experimental tasks, and semi-structured interviews were used to construct three key resilience processes: (1) Belief Systems, assessed by maternal self-reported reflective functioning, maternal mind-mindedness and positivity in interviews through a five-minute speech sample, and performance on an advanced Theory of Mind task; (2) Organization, evaluated through mother-reported couple relationship quality; and (3) Communication, indexed by mother-reported approaches to introducing the firstborn to the new sibling and mother-reported relationship quality with their firstborn.

The hierarchical regression analysis, after controlling for firstborns' age, gender, and maternal education, suggested that maternal interest and curiosity about the child’s inner experiences, as part of reflective functioning, significantly and positively predicted mother-reported externalizing problems in firstborns following the sibling’s birth. In contrast, maternal positivity, a close mother-child relationship, and maternal education negatively predicted firstborns' later internalizing problems, highlighting their protective role. Firstborns with pre-existing emotional and behavioural difficulties were less likely to engage positively with their younger siblings. Additionally, female firstborns showed greater antagonism toward their younger siblings compared to male firstborns. Prenatal mother-child conflict also significantly predicted early child-sibling conflict and rivalry. Overall, our findings suggest that belief systems and communication play a crucial role in family resilience during the transition to siblinghood, whereas organisation showed no significant impact.

The concept of home is considered a fundamental human right and holds various meanings shaped by social perspectives. Personal, social-experiential views and the physical location represent significant aspects of the connection between individuals and their homes (Easthope, 2004). The term "home" is commonly used and well-understood, with its most widespread definition referring to the dwelling place of individuals and families. For children, the sense of stability and security provided by the home, along with the familial bonds it fosters, equip them with the strength to grow and the courage to explore the world. (Campo et al., 2020).

This study, employing a phenomenological qualitative approach, examines the concept of "home" among 25 Bedouin children aged 4 to 6 from unrecognized villages (UV) in Israel. These villages face severe challenges, including a lack of basic infrastructure and services, harsh living conditions, and the constant threat of home demolitions (Sedawi et al., 2021). The findings highlight the complexity of the children's living conditions and reveal the dual role of the home as both a source of risk and a place of protection. The study identifies how children perceive the concept of "home," their experiences of home demolitions carried out by authorities, and the ways in which the home becomes a source of emotional distress. It also explores the coping mechanisms employed by the children and their families.

Based on the context-informed approach (Nadan & Roer-Strier, 2021), the research emphasizes the role of family and community as vital sources of protection, resilience, and emotional security for children. The conclusions stress the importance of culturally sensitive interventions and call for improvements to infrastructure in underserved areas. Additionally, they highlight the need to include children's perspectives in decision-making processes that affect their living conditions, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs addressed.