The study titled “Differences in Empathy among Medical Students: An Evaluation using the Enneagram Typology” conducted at the Inje University College of Medicine, sought to examine how empathy levels vary among medical students based on their Enneagram personality types. Through a cross-sectional approach, the research utilized the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for measuring empathy and the Korean Enneagram Personality Type Indicator to determine personality traits of first and second-year medical students. Analysis focused on differences in empathy within Enneagram triads, Hornevian groups, Harmonic groups, and across individual Enneagram types.
The research uncovered significant findings, highlighting that students classified within the Feeling triad (types 2, 3, 4) and those identified as Dutifuls (types 1, 2, 6) exhibited notably higher scores in compassionate care. Remarkably, Type 2 and Type 6 personalities were associated with the highest levels of empathy and compassionate care scores among the students, while Type 3 personalities recorded the lowest empathy scores. Type 7 personalities scored lowest in compassionate care yet highest in perspective taking.
