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Rethinking the use of the Hogan Empathy Scale: a critical psychometric analysis
1School of Nursing, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555-1028, USA.
Summary
The Hogan Empathy Scale (EM) demonstrated poor stability and internal consistency in occupational therapy students. Validity evidence was also weak, questioning the EM
Area of Science:
- Occupational therapy education
- Psychometrics
- Psychological assessment
Background:
- The Hogan Empathy Scale (EM) is used to measure empathy.
- Longitudinal assessment of psychometric properties is crucial for educational tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the longitudinal stability, internal consistency, factor structure, and validity of the Hogan Empathy Scale (EM).
- To assess the EM's utility with occupational therapy students over time.
Main Methods:
- Over 300 occupational therapy students completed the EM at least once.
- 192 students completed the EM twice over 12 months; 56 completed it 3+ years later.
- Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE) scores and biographical data were collected.
Main Results:
- EM stability was low (r = .41 over 12 months, .30-.38 over 3-6 years).
- Internal consistency (α = .57) and factor structure were inadequate.
- EM scores showed minimal correlation with biographical data and FWPE scores, failing to support validity.
Conclusions:
- The Hogan Empathy Scale (EM) exhibits poor reliability and validity for measuring trait-like empathy in occupational therapy students.
- Findings do not support previous estimates and caution against uncritical use of the EM.
- Further research is needed to understand what the EM truly measures in this population.
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