The purpose of this study is to identify how much the superior's level of empathy influences the subordinate's adaptation to military service by using self-control and self-efficacy as variables. This study sampled 86 superiors and 475 subordinates, a...
The purpose of this study is to identify how much the superior's level of empathy influences the subordinate's adaptation to military service by using self-control and self-efficacy as variables. This study sampled 86 superiors and 475 subordinates, a total of 561 soldiers from 21 units. It used 7 methods of measurement with 138 survey questions. For superiors, cognitive, emotive and linguistic empathy was used as variables. For subordinates, military service adaptation, self-control, self-efficacy and individual perception of superior's empathy was used as variables. Moreover, the study includes interviews with 90 people including soldiers and military experts about empathy and barrack conditions related to adaptation. The study complied the materials with SPSS ver 12.0. Overall data analysis was accomplished through Frequency Analysis, t-test, Oneway ANOVA, Regression Analysis, AMOS Structure model Analysis and Scheff? Post Hoc test. Following are the results of the study.
First, the study used Barrett-Lennard model to investigate the level and the relationship of empathy between superiors and subordinates. Moreover, it used evaluation tools that are suitable considering military conditions.
Second, the superior's level of empathy influences the subordinate's military service adaptation. Especially, when the research applied self-control and self-efficacy as variables, soldiers performed better in adapting to the military environment.
Third, superior's self cognitive empathy does not affect subordinate's adaptation on military service, but subordinate's cognitive empathy on superiors has great influence on their adaptation to military service. This means that the subordinate's cognitive empathy act as a core variable for the evaluation of the level of empathy and for the adaptation to military service.
Fourth, There are substantial cognitive gaps between the superior's subjective empathy and the subordinate's cognitive empathy on their superiors.
Fifth, company commanders and first sergeants are often open to new ideas and are receptive. Especially, company commanders' level of empathy has a great influence on the subordinate's adaptation to military service.
Sixth, the subordinate's cognitive empathy on the superiors has great influence on self-control and self-efficacy. Moreover, the higher the subordinate's level of self-control and self-efficacy, the better they adapt to military service.
Lastly, There is a cognitive gap between the superior's and the subordinate's level of empathy. Especially, the superior's level of empathy act as an influential variable for not only subordinate's adaptation to military service but also to the demonstration of combat power. Moreover, it is difficult for superiors to practice empathy due to the distinct environment that the barrack provides. As a result, the soldiers have to acknowledge such distinct conditions and develop various ways to overcome such difficulties. For superiors to practice empathy and manage the organization, they have to change their perception on subordinates, understand subordinate's difficulties and exchange ideas with candid mind. Moreover, superiors should applause and respect subordinates and make a clear distinction between public and private matters. They have to keep composure and stay away from using foul language. Lastly, development and application of empathy training programs that can be recognized by subordinates should be made.