Hayvanlara Yönelik Empati Ölçeği Kısa Formunun Geliştirilmesi

Abstract

This study aimed to develop the short form of the Animal Empathy Scale (AES-SF). To this end, the study first conducted the Turkish validity and reliability analyses of the long scale and the selection of the items for the short form. The construct validity of the eight-item short form of the scale was then tested in a separate sample. The construct validity of the scales was examined in the first sample using principal component analysis and in the second sample using confirmatory factor analysis. In both studies, the convergent validity of the scales was tested with related psychological traits. McDonald’s omega and item-total test correlation coefficients were used to assess the reliability of the scales. Test-retest reliability was also examined for the short form of the scale. The long form of the scale showed a two-factor structure, as did the original scale. The analyses indicated that the long scale was valid and reliable for Turkish culture. The confirmatory factor analysis results of the AES-SF supported the two-factor structure. Convergent validity analyses showed that the relationships were significant and in the expected direction. The correlation coefficients between the scores on the short and long forms of the scale are also high. Reliability scores also indicated that the short form provided accurate and stable measures. Furthermore, the validity and reliability coefficients of the short and long forms are close. According to these results, the AES-SF can be used as an alternative to the long form of the scale.