EMPATHY TOWARD WHEELCHAIR USERS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: CROSS-NATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND CORRELATES

Background
Empathy is a key driver of social inclusion for wheelchair users, especially in regions affected by the war in Ukraine. This study compared empathy levels and profiles among university students in Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Belarus, considering individual characteristics, contact with wheelchair users, and broader sociocultural factors.

Material and methods
A multicenter cross sectional online survey (2024-2025) included 4,474 medical and non medical students. Empathy was assessed using the KRE II scale (33 items; Cronbach’s α=0.852) across five subscales; scores were standardized (0-3). A questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and frequency of contact with wheelchair users. Non parametric statistics were applied with Benjamini-Hochberg corrections.

Results
The highest standardized medians were for “Sympathizing” (Syndrome I; Me=2.0/3) and “Sensitivity” (III; 1.9/3), and the lowest for “Co suffering” (II; 1.7/3) and “Pure Empathy” (V; 1.7/3). Regular contact with wheelchair users (29.6% overall; 67.0% in Ukraine) was associated with higher total KRE II scores (ρ=0.30, p<0.001). Cross national differences were greatest for “Readiness to Sacrifice” (IV; H=220, p<0.001; η²=0.05), with Ukrainian students showing the highest medians.

Conclusions
Empathy profiles differ by country, shaped by social context and contact with wheelchair users. Developing empathic competencies and supportive educational environments is crucial for academic inclusion of students with disabilities.