The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire: scale development and initial validation of a factor-analytic solution to multiple empathy measures

J Pers Assess. 2009 Jan;91(1):62-71. doi: 10.1080/00223890802484381.

Abstract

To formulate a parsimonious tool to assess empathy, we used factor analysis on a combination of self-report measures to examine consensus and developed a brief self-report measure of this common factor. The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) represents empathy as a primarily emotional process. In 3 studies, the TEQ demonstrated strong convergent validity, correlating positively with behavioral measures of social decoding, self-report measures of empathy, and negatively with a measure of Autism symptomatology. Moreover, it exhibited good internal consistency and high test-retest reliability. The TEQ is a brief, reliable, and valid instrument for the assessment of empathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autistic Disorder
  • Empathy*
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales* / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • Young Adult