Construct Validity of the Japanese Version of the Reynolds Empathy Scale for Patients to Assess Nurses’ Empathy: A Cross-sectional Research Study

Abstract

Abstract Background Empathy education for the nursing profession is needed. The evaluation of empathy education requires not only self-evaluation but also evaluation by patients and third parties. The Reynolds Empathy Scale is a 12-item scale that was developed to allow not only self-assessment of empathy by healthcare professionals but also patient and peer assessment. The purpose of this study was to verify the construct validity of the Japanese version of the Reynolds Empathy Scale for patient assessment. The scale was translated into Japanese by the principal investigators to make it easier to understand. Methods This study used a cross-sectional design. Patients eligible for nursing care. Individuals registered with a research company and who have been hospitalized. To test content validity, a preliminary expert meeting was held. For hypothesis testing, three patterns of cartoons with different empathy behaviors and attitudes were used. The three cartoons were the high empathy nurse, the low empathy nurse, and the self-centered nurse. The target population consisted of those who had been hospitalized and were registered with a research company, taking into account the age of Japanese patients in general. The analyses were item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the t test. SPSS and R were used for analysis. Hypothesis testing using cartoons resulted in higher scores for the high empathy nurse than for the low empathy nurse and self-centered nurse. Data were collected on the subject’s age, gender, and three cartoons related to nurses’ behaviors and attitudes as assessed using the Reynolds Empathy Scale. Results Data from 1004 participants were used in the analysis. Factor analysis resulted in a one-factor model with a reverse item factor structure. The hypothesis was supported. Conclusions The Reynolds Empathy Scale is a one-factor construct, and the measurements were hypothesis-directed. Construct validity was generally confirmed statistically. Trial registration: This study was conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, the Ethical Guidelines for Life Sciences and Medical Research Involving Human Subjects, and other relevant regulations and was approved by the Ethics Committee for Life Science and Medical Research at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (No. 22–050).