title: Factorial structure and convergent and discriminant validity of the E (Empathy) scale.
abstract: The Empathy (E) scale has been proposed as a theoretically and psychometrically more satisfying alternative to existing self-report measures of empathy. Its four scales (facets) cover both components (cognitive vs. emotional) and both reality statuses (fictitious vs. real-life) of empathy in pairwise combinations. Confirmatory factor analyses of the E-scale in an Austrian community sample (N = 794) suggested that one prior assumption, namely the mutual orthogonality of these facets, may partly need revision; particularly, the E-scale facets seemed to reflect more strongly differences in the reality statuses than in the components of empathy. Utilizing numerous informative psychological traits, the scale's convergent and discriminant validity were examined. E-scale scores were consistently predicted by sex-related and relationship-related constructs and measures of antisocial attitudes and behavior. Among the Big Five personality dimensions, openness emerged as a major positive correlate of empathy. Sex and age were demographic correlates of E-scale scores (higher in women and the younger). Findings were discussed with regards to the definition and measurement of empathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, School of Psychology, University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Ulrich S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg.
authors.forename: Anton-Rupert
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Laireiter
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neuner
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Psychiatry, State Government of Salzburg.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leibetseder
authors.forename: Sara Leyla
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Szente-Voracek
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Psychological Research and Research Methods, School of Psychology, University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voracek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004645:Empathy / Q000502:physiology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult