Validation of a Short Version of the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test in Argentine University Population

Abstract

The goal of this work was to examine validity evidence of a brief version of the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test (TECA) for Argentine college students. Two studies were carried out. In Study 1, using a non-probabilistic sampling, 1135 college students participated, between 18 and 30 years old, from three universities in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. The discrimination of the items, the underlying structure of the TECA through confirmatory factor analysis, and the internal consistency of the scale were evaluated. In Study 2, through a non-probabilistic sampling, 425 college students participated, between 18 and 30 years old, from three universities and two Argentine provinces. Different evidences of external validity (comparison of groups, convergent validity, and relations between theoretical constructs) were evaluated. Results indicated better fit indices for the reduced version. The composite reliability was adequate, and the validity indicators were in line with what was theoretically expected. It is possible to conclude that the brief version of the TECA has adequate psychometric properties and enables a practical and agile evaluation of the cognitive and affective components of empathy among young Argentine college students, being especially useful in research contexts.