Empathic concern is the desire to relieve suffering, and it can lead people to make empty promises.
Here’s how to provide support with zero promises made.
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You might say things like Im here for you or Ill double-check we catch up every week.
And in the moment, it makes us feel fulfilled and have a more positive self-image.
The problem, then, comes in the follow-through.
associate professor of psychology at Wake Forest University
How does empathic concern lead to empty promises?
Often, the empathic concern felt for someone elses distress ends up dissolving over time.
But once that rush of feeling fades, its going to come down to how self-disciplined you are.
Are you the person who gets up and does something, whether or not you feel like doing it?
The time lag between the promise-making and promise-execution also makes a difference.
This can help to determine the level of willingness to be an active and present support system.
You could also ask helpful questions that allow the person to vent without overextending yourself.
Dr. Franco suggests asking How long have you been feeling this way?
or Whats the hardest part about all this?
associate professor of psychology at Wake Forest University
and reflecting their feelings back to them by saying that sounds so painful or difficult.
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