Measuring Empathy in Couples: Validity and Reliability of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for Couples

2010/02/10 by Katherine Péloquin, Marie‐France Lafontaine · 2 citations
Psychology · #Attachment and Relationship Dynamics #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics

paper · doi:10.1080/00223890903510399

openalex publication_date 2010/02/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

This article includes three studies aimed at adapting the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1980), a measure of general cognitive and emotional empathy, to assess empathy expressed within a romantic relationship. We examined the factorial structure of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for Couples (IRIC). Results supported the use of the 2-factor measure (Dyadic Perspective Taking and Dyadic Empathic Concern) in 3 independent samples (individuals in heterosexual relationships, individuals in same-sex relationships, and partners of heterosexual couples). The IRIC also demonstrated good convergent, discriminant, concurrent, predictive, and incremental validity as well as adequate internal consistency and stability over 18 months.

Citations

• Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach.
• Measures of multivariate skewness and kurtosis with applications
• Factor analysis in the development and refinement of clinical assessment instruments.
• A measure of emotional empathy1
• Stability versus change, dependability versus error: Issues in the assessment of personality over time
• Measuring Dyadic Adjustment: New Scales for Assessing the Quality of Marriage and Similar Dyads
• On the Use, the Misuse, and the Very Limited Usefulness of Cronbach’s Alpha

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