Psychometric evaluation of the ‘Jefferson Scale of Empathy’ in a sample of nursing students in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Aim: To examine the psychometric properties of the ‘Jefferson Scale of Empathy’. Design: A methodological study was conducted. Methods: A sample of 230 nursing students was used to analyse the psychometric properties of the ‘Jefferson Scale of Empathy’. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to test construct validity. Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations were carried out to test internal consistency reliability. Results: The mean score of the empathy SUM was 112.0 (SD: 12.6). A three-factor model was explored. This factor structure does not replicate the original ‘Jefferson Scale of Empathy’ when it was validated with medical students, but it is in line with later research with nursing students. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.80 for the SUM and 0.80–0.84 for individual items. Item-total correlation coefficients were 0.01–0.63. No Patient or Public Contribution: Because this study focused on nursing students. No patients or the public were involved.