Validity and Reliability Study of 4-5-Year-Old Empathy Skills Scale

In this study, it was aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to evaluate the cognitive, affective, and behavioral sub-dimensions of empathy skills of 4-5-year-old children. The study group of this research, which was conducted using the survey model, consisted of 210 children in the 4-5 age group. Data were obtained through snowball sampling by conducting one-to-one interviews with children on an online platform. SPSS22 and R software were used for data analysis. Inter-rater reliability was analyzed using Kappa statistic, reliability was analyzed using Cronbach's Alpha, and the relationships between dimensions were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests. The Multifaceted Rasch model was used for scale validity and the fit indices of the scale items were analyzed. For criterion validity, the Emotional Perspective Taking sub-dimension of the Perspective Taking Test for Children was used. The internal consistency coefficients for the sub-dimensions of the scale were 0.885 for the cognitive dimension, 0.889 for the affective dimension, and 0.837 for the behavioral dimension. As a result of the study, it was revealed that 4-5-Year-Old Empathy Skills Scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring children's empathy skills and their cognitive, affective, and behavioral sub-dimensions.