# Conclusion

## 5.5. Conclusion

In this Turkish university sample, greater exposure to literary fiction
predicted higher empathy, including both cognitive and affective
components, even when controlling for demographic variables. Yet,
literary exposure showed no significant association with mentalisation.
Instead, mentalisation was predicted by lower trait anxiety, older age,
and female sex. Existential concerns positively predicted empathy and
other-oriented mentalisation, while negatively predicting self-oriented
mentalisation. Trait anxiety showed a similarly divergent pattern,
negatively predicting cognitive empathy and both dimensions of
mentalisation, but trending positively with affective empathy.
Interaction effects between literary exposure and anxiety or existential
concerns were non-significant across models. Together, these findings
suggest that empathy and mentalisation are shaped by partially distinct
mechanisms, with literary fiction specifically contributing to empathic
processes.