Abstract
The aim of the study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate new general questionnaire for estimation of empathy. Subjects and setting: The sample consisted of the first to sixth year students of the Medical School Palacky University Olomouc (N = 823; 240 men, 583 women; average age 21,75; SD = 1,97; range 19 - 29 years).
The self-reported data were collected at the end of academic year. Participation was voluntary, nonanonymous, and conditional on the informed consent.
Statistical analysis: Exploration factor analysis, principal component, factor extraction based on scree test, rotation promax, was used to examine underlying components of the instrument and Cronbach coefficient alpha was calculated to assess internal consistency aspect of reliability. Subsequently the structure of questionnaire was verified using CFA.
Simultaneous factor analysis was employed to test differences between men and women from the viewpoint of regression weights, factor covariance, and structural latent means. Effect of length of study was examined by Jonckheer-Terpstra test and influence of identification on students' responses was tested by the GLM procedure.
Relationship between the JSPE-S and the DE14 was examined by the MRA. Results: Exploratory and subsequently confirmatory factor analysis supported our presumption of the three components of the 14-item self-administered Empathy Questionnaire (DE14) Percipience, Openness, and Respect, Cronbach coefficient alpha was 0,67, 0,63, and 0,75, respective.
The structure of questionnaire was from the viewpoint of gender invariant and the effect of respondents' self-identification and length of study on the students responses although statistically significant was of no practical consequence. Questionnaire DE14 shared cca 19% of variance with the JSPE-S.