The first validation study of cognitive and affective component of empathy questionnaire (ECQ) in Iran-An ongoing study

Background and Aim: Introduction: Cognitive empathy is empathy by thought, rather than by feeling. Empathy today plays a crucial interpersonal and societal role, also providing an emotional bridge that promotes pro-social behavior. Recent research suggests that empathy is a multidimensional construct comprising both cognitive and affective components. The newest theories suggest even further factors within these components of empathy, including the ability to empathize with others versus the drive towards empathizing with others. Methods: The sample consisted of ۱۴۵ adults (the study is still ongoing) recruited via opportunity sampling within the wide general adult community in Tehran and volunteer university students between age ۲۰ to ۵۰. The ECQ consisted of a total ۲۷ items, which were translated to Persian and applied in a pilot study. In addition to the ECQ scale, participants completed the other gold standard empathy self-report questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed applying t-test, ANOVA and MANOVA with post-hoc test to compare between group factors and ECQ component analysis. Results: While numerous self-report measures have been developed to examine empathy with these new components, in our country none currently index all of these wider components together. The aim of the present study was to translate, develop and compare gender differences of the Empathy Components Questionnaire (ECQ) to measure cognitive and affective components, as well as ability and drive components within each component together. Results also showed that females scored higher than males on four out of the five components of the ECQ. Females self-reported higher scores on all three affective components of empathy measured through the ECQ compared to males. These findings align with extensive evidence that females score significantly higher than males on self-report measures of empathy. Findings also showed certain components predicted scores on an independent measure of social behavior, which provided good convergent validity of the ECQ. Conclusion: The ECQ is a new quick and easy to implement measure of empathy that assesses further components of empathy than previous questionnaires, including cognitive ability, cognitive drive, affective ability, affective drive, and affective reactivity. The ECQ provides a useful new tool for quick and easy measurement of empathy and its components for research with both healthy and clinical populations, and a version of this scale will soon be validated and available for our adults.

کلیدواژه ها:

Empathy component questionnaire ، cognitive empathy ، affective empathy ، empathy questionnaire validation