Factorial validity and measurement invariance across gender groups of the German version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index

Dennis Grevenstein

doi:10.1186/s42409-020-00015-2

Abstract

The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) is the most widely used measure of empathy, but its factorial validity has been questioned. The present research investigates the factorial validity of the German adaptation of the IRI, the “Saarbrücker Persönlichkeitsfragebogen SPF-IRI”. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) were used to test the theoretically predicted four-factor model. Across two subsamples ESEM outperformed CFA. Substantial cross-loadings were evident in ESEM. Measurement invariance (MI) across gender groups was tested using ESEM in the combined sample. Strict MI (invariant factor loadings, intercepts, residuals) could be established, and variances and covariances were also equal. Differences for latent means were evident. Women scored higher on fantasy, empathic concern, and personal distress. No significant differences were found for perspective taking. Mean differences were due to real differences on latent variables and not a result of measurement bias. Results support the factorial validity of the German SPF-IRI. The heterogeneity of empathy and the unclear differentiation between cognitive and emotional aspects might be a source for the unclear differentiation of scales.

Highlights

The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) is the most widely used measure of empathy, but its factorial validity has been questioned
Factorial Validity and Measurement Invariance across Gender Groups of the German Version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index Empathy is commonly understood as a multidimensional construct that comprises emotional as well as cognitive components (Davis, 1980, 1983; Hoffman, 2000)
A recent meta-analysis showed that patients scored lower on Empathic concern (EC), Perspective taking (PT), and FT, but higher on Personal distress (PD) compared to healthy controls (Bonfils, Lysaker, Minor, and Salyers, 2017)

Summary

Introduction

The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) is the most widely used measure of empathy, but its factorial validity has been questioned. Factorial Validity and Measurement Invariance across Gender Groups of the German Version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index Empathy is commonly understood as a multidimensional construct that comprises emotional as well as cognitive components (Davis, 1980, 1983; Hoffman, 2000). Conceptions of trait-empathy usually refer to the seminal work of Davis (1980) and are often linked to the structure of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Females commonly score higher on all subscales of the IRI (Davis, 2004; De Corte et al 2007; Hawk et al 2013). No significant differences were found for the PT subscale (Fernández, Dufey, and Kramp, 2011; Gilet, Mella, Studer, Grühn, and Labouvie-Vief, 2013; LucasMolina, Pérez-Albéniz, Ortuño-Sierra, and FonsecaPedrero, 2017)

Methods

Results

Conclusion