The QCAE: A Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy |
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Authors: | Renate L. E. P. Reniers Rhiannon Corcoran Richard Drake Nick M. Shryane Birgit A. Völlm |
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Affiliation: | 1. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust , Nottingham, United Kingdom;2. Neuroscience &3. Psychiatry Unit , University of Manchester , Manchester, United Kingdom;4. Division of Psychiatry , University of Nottingham , Nottingham, United Kingdom;5. Neuroscience &6. Institute of Social Change , University of Manchester , Manchester, United Kingdom;7. Section of Forensic Mental Health , University of Nottingham , Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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Abstract: | Empathy has been inconsistently defined and inadequately measured. This research aimed to produce a new and rigorously developed questionnaire. Exploratory (n 1= 640) and confirmatory (n 2= 318) factor analyses were employed to develop the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE). Principal components analysis revealed 5 factors (31 items). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this structure in an independent sample. The hypothesized 2-factor structure (cognitive and affective empathy) was tested and provided the best and most parsimonious fit to the data. Gender differences, convergent validity, and construct validity were examined. The QCAE is a valid tool for assessing cognitive and affective empathy. |
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