Abstract

PEREIRA, Luisa Braga  and  OLIVA, Angela Donato. Invariance analysis of two empathy instruments: sex differences. Estud. psicol. (Natal) [online]. 2024, vol.29, e242901.  Epub Nov 10, 2025. ISSN 1413-294X.  https://doi.org/10.69909/1678-4669.20240001.

Empathy is a multidimensional construct that involves the comprehension of others’ feelings and intentions. Sex differences concerning empathy have been widely discussed. Women tend to respond more empathically in studies that use self-report instruments, but the results may be caused by social desirability and cultural expectations. This research aimed to evaluate differences between men and women in the psychometrical parameters of empathy measurements by conducting multi-group confirmatory factor analyses (MGCFA). The sample was formed of 477 participants and two instruments were used: the Brazilian versions of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Empathy Quotient (EQ). Sex invariance was found for the EQ but the IRI did not support metric invariance, as four items from the Empathic Concern subscale and two from the Personal Distress subscale were not equivalent between groups. Social desirability, psychometrical and instrument adaptation properties, and social expectations might have influenced the results.

Keywords : empathy; sex differences; factor analysis; self-report.

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