Psychometric properties of the basic empathy scale in Polish children and adolescents

The Basic Empathy Scale is widely used to measure cognitive and affective empathy in different age groups. Although empathy is studied throughout the world, research on this important psychological construct in Eastern Europe populations need to be increased. In order to accomplish this, validated instruments to measure empathy are needed in this geographic area. This study was conducted to analyze the psychometric properties of the Basic Empathy Scale in Poland. The sample included 1,052 children and adolescents aged 9 to 16, enrolled in Primary and Middle schools. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with a survey that was filled in by the participants during their regular classroom hours. Confirmatory Factor Analyses were conducted, together with concurrent validity analyses and comparisons between younger and older participants and between girls and boys. A final 12-item version of the Basic Empathy Scale was obtained with factors of affective empathy and cognitive empathy. The Polish version of the scale showed good psychometric properties. Girls scored higher on affective, cognitive and total empathy than boys. Younger male participants scored higher on affective, cognitive and total empathy than older male participants. This validated measure of empathy in Polish children and adolescents can be used to study the relations of empathy with antisocial and prosocial behaviors, to include Poland in cross-country comparisons and to evaluate programs focused on enhancing empathy in Poland