Investigating the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Emotional Empathy Scale

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2016

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Emotional Empathy Scale (MDEES). Using a sample of British young people, we investigated the reliability of the scale, as well as the convergent and divergent validity with standardized measures of IQ and working memory. There was good internal consistency between the items in each subscale. With respect to validity, only the Emotional Suffering and Positive Sharing subscales were significantly related to verbal IQ; no other MDEES subscales were significantly associated with nonverbal IQ or working memory. The findings also suggest that the MDEES is a reliable and valid measure of emotional empathy and captures skills distinct from IQ and working memory.

Publication Title

Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation

Volume

90

First Page

438

Last Page

442

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.measurement.2016.05.014

ISSN

02632241

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