The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)

The aim of this study was to develop a measure to evaluate the management of empathic capacity. To this end, two studies were conducted. Study 1 (<i>N</i> = 277, 172 females) describes the scale creation procedure, factorial validity, and internal consistency. The exploratory factor anal...

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Main Authors: Miguel Mora-Pelegrín, Beatriz Montes-Berges, María Aranda, María Agustina Vázquez, Elena Armenteros-Martínez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
Series:Healthcare
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/587
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author Miguel Mora-Pelegrín
Beatriz Montes-Berges
María Aranda
María Agustina Vázquez
Elena Armenteros-Martínez
author_facet Miguel Mora-Pelegrín
Beatriz Montes-Berges
María Aranda
María Agustina Vázquez
Elena Armenteros-Martínez
author_sort Miguel Mora-Pelegrín
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to develop a measure to evaluate the management of empathic capacity. To this end, two studies were conducted. Study 1 (<i>N</i> = 277, 172 females) describes the scale creation procedure, factorial validity, and internal consistency. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a five-factor model with 18 items (62.4% of the variance explained). The dimensions were as follows: D1: identification, D2: incorporation, D3: reverberation, D4: separation, and D5: projection. The internal consistency was good (alpha values ranging from 0.70 to 0.80). Study 2 (<i>N</i> = 480, 323 females) examined the validity (including convergent validity) of the model and the relationships with sociodemographic variables. The five-factor model showed a robust goodness of fit, χ<sup>2</sup> = 240.5, <i>p</i> < 0.001, root mean square residual (RMSR) = 0.05. The fit indices were satisfactory, Non-normed fit index (NNFI) = 0.89, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.90, mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.04. The convergent validity analysis showed that, as empathy management increased, so too did the empathy level and emotional intelligence. Some differences by age and sex were found. In conclusion, the Empathy Management Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for analyzing the empathic process that allows vulnerabilities and strengths to be estimated, which could improve professional practice in the healthcare context.
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spelling doaj.art-20af98d76a7a4063970d4751e29eee652023-11-21T19:55:18ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-05-019558710.3390/healthcare9050587The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)Miguel Mora-Pelegrín0Beatriz Montes-Berges1María Aranda2María Agustina Vázquez3Elena Armenteros-Martínez4Department of Psychology/Social Work Faculty, University of Jaén, Paraje las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, SpainDepartment of Psychology/Social Psychology Area, University of Jaén, Paraje las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, SpainDepartment of Psychology/Social Psychology Area, University of Jaén, Paraje las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, SpainDepartment of Psychology/Social Psychology Area, University of Jaén, Paraje las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, SpainDepartment of Health Science, University of Jaén, Paraje las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, SpainThe aim of this study was to develop a measure to evaluate the management of empathic capacity. To this end, two studies were conducted. Study 1 (<i>N</i> = 277, 172 females) describes the scale creation procedure, factorial validity, and internal consistency. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a five-factor model with 18 items (62.4% of the variance explained). The dimensions were as follows: D1: identification, D2: incorporation, D3: reverberation, D4: separation, and D5: projection. The internal consistency was good (alpha values ranging from 0.70 to 0.80). Study 2 (<i>N</i> = 480, 323 females) examined the validity (including convergent validity) of the model and the relationships with sociodemographic variables. The five-factor model showed a robust goodness of fit, χ<sup>2</sup> = 240.5, <i>p</i> < 0.001, root mean square residual (RMSR) = 0.05. The fit indices were satisfactory, Non-normed fit index (NNFI) = 0.89, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.90, mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.04. The convergent validity analysis showed that, as empathy management increased, so too did the empathy level and emotional intelligence. Some differences by age and sex were found. In conclusion, the Empathy Management Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for analyzing the empathic process that allows vulnerabilities and strengths to be estimated, which could improve professional practice in the healthcare context.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/587empathyempathic processhealthcare professionalsvalidationemotional regulation
spellingShingle Miguel Mora-Pelegrín
Beatriz Montes-Berges
María Aranda
María Agustina Vázquez
Elena Armenteros-Martínez
The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)
Healthcare
empathy
empathic process
healthcare professionals
validation
emotional regulation
title The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)
title_full The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)
title_fullStr The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)
title_full_unstemmed The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)
title_short The Empathic Capacity and the Ability to Regulate It: Construction and Validation of the Empathy Management Scale (EMS)
title_sort empathic capacity and the ability to regulate it construction and validation of the empathy management scale ems
topic empathy
empathic process
healthcare professionals
validation
emotional regulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/587
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