A Study on the Development of Empathy Scale for Empathic Communication between Family

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop an empathy scale for empathic communication between family members. This study resulted in the development of four empathy scale: one for spouses, one for parents to use for children, one for children to use for their parents, and one for children to use for their siblings. The preliminary questions were comprised of 40 basic items including cognitive, affective, and expressive empathy, which were classified by type, and then modified to fit the respondents and subject in the family sub - system. The first item was selected for each scale using exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was also performed to confirm the fitness of the factor structure and the validity of the question. As a result, the final questions were selected for each of the four scales and were verified through proper analysis, which confirmed their use as a valid test. The scales developed in this study are expected to be used to measure empathy realization aspect between spouses, parents and children, and siblings, according to the family sub - system. It is also expected to help promote empathic communication between family members.