Background:
Empathy is a fundamental concept in social cognition, consisting of two main components: vicarious experience and intuitive understanding of others’ emotions. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties and network structure of the Empathic Experience Scale in an Iranian sample.
Methods:
This descriptive–analytical study was conducted in 2025 in Tehran on 260 adults (210 females and 50 males) selected via convenience sampling. The Persian version of the scale, along with the Basic Empathy Scale, aggression, and interpersonal problems questionnaires, was administered. Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, and criterion-related and discriminant validity were assessed through correlations with relevant measures. Reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha, test–retest, and composite reliability.
Findings:
Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable fit for the two-factor model comprising vicarious experience and intuitive understanding. Significant correlations with criterion measures confirmed satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach’s alpha for the total scale was 0.931, and composite reliability coefficients for the factors were 0.88 and 0.92, respectively. Additionally, the average variance extracted exceeded the acceptable threshold (0.5), supporting convergent validity. Network analysis revealed positive relationships among most items, a few stronger connections, and several conditionally independent items.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that the Persian version of the Empathic Experience Scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing empathy in the Iranian population. This scale can be applied in various fields and disciplines where human relationships, interpersonal interactions, and emotional understanding are central, both in research and clinical practice.