# Nearly half reject the idea that emphasizing empathy has done more harm than good

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/health/nearly-half-reject-the-idea-that-emphasizing-empathy-has-done-more-harm-than-good/

> Indexed question in Health.

## Reading

Nearly half of Americans (48%) reject the idea that emphasizing empathy in public life has done more harm than good, including 17% who strongly disagree.

About one-in-five (21%) agree, while a third (32%) neither agree nor disagree, according to a March 2026 Verasight survey.

## Topline

Emphasizing empathy in public life has done more harm than good.

Nearly half reject the idea that emphasizing empathy has done more harm than good.

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.

- Neither agree nor disagree: 31.6%
- Disagree: 30.3%
- Strongly disagree: 17.3%
- Agree: 13.5%
- Strongly agree: 7.2%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-03-06 → 2026-03-16
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.5%
- Module: Module 5: Health, Community, & Personal Values
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-5-3](https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-5-3)

## Citation

Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-5-3](https://reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044#q-5-3)