Psychometry: Cutting-Off Points and Standardization of the Jefferson Empathy Scale Adapted for Students of Kinesiology

Abstract

Currently, the most common measurement of empathy is obtained using scales that offer a continuum between a minimum and a maximum value. The objectives of this study were to establish a norm and estimate cut-off points that would make it possible to assess the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) version for Health Professions students (HPS-version), and to determine its psychometric properties in Chilean physical therapy students. A secondary analysis was done on a data set from three schools of physical therapy ([ n = 850], 412 women [48.5%], and 438 men [51.5%]), applying confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and hierarchical cluster analysis. A CFA replicated the original three-factor model of empathy with sufficiently fit the data. A hierarchical cluster analysis yielded four categories for the level of empathy: high, medium-high, medium-low, and low. Multi-group analyses supported the assumption of a gender-invariant factor structure. Results confirmed the reliability of the global scale (α = .835), and the Perspective Taking (α = .732), Compassionate Care (α = .842), and Walking in Patient’s Shoes (α = .686) dimensions. The instrument made it possible to establish four ordinal categories in the level of students’ empathy. We conclude that the HPS-version of the JSE has adequate psychometric properties; namely validity, reliability, and cut-off points that justify administering it to Chilean physical therapy students.

Empathy, psychometrics, cut‐off points in nursing students from Latin America

“…The dependent variables were empathy levels, CC levels, PA levels, WIPS levels and number of clusters, measured with JSE-S (Hojat et al, 2001(Hojat et al, , 2002, in Spanish version (Alcorta-Garza et al, 2005). These measures present varied evidence of reliability and validity in studies with a Latin American university population in the health area (Alcorta-Garza et al, 2005;Pedrero-Castillo et al, 2021;Reyes-Reyes et al, 2021). While the independent variables were country and sex.…”

“…The current measures of empathy in Latin American university students provide direct scores as results that account for the attribute measured. For example, in studies on Colombian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, Chilean and Dominican students, among others, in which the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) has been used (Reyes‐Reyes et al., 2021). However, the score obtained on a test does not necessarily favour decision‐making, for which a cut‐off point is required.…”

“…The cut‐off point allows decisions to be made and to classify people as competent or non‐competent according to the domain achieved (Berk, 1986). The presence of cut‐off points favours the use of the measurement made by an instrument, ensuring the usefulness of the results obtained in the diagnosis of empathy (Reyes‐Reyes et al., 2021).…”