Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sample

Background: The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), introduced by Davis in 1980, remains a widely used self-report tool designed to assess empathy from a multidimensional perspective, with adaptations for various languages and populations. However, many studies examining its psychometric properti...

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Main Authors: Martin Bidegain, Marcela Carballo, Daniel Costa-Ball
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Católica del Uruguay 2025-04-01
Series:Ciencias Psicológicas
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.ucu.edu.uy/index.php/cienciaspsicologicas/article/view/4005
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author Martin Bidegain
Marcela Carballo
Daniel Costa-Ball
author_facet Martin Bidegain
Marcela Carballo
Daniel Costa-Ball
author_sort Martin Bidegain
collection DOAJ
description Background: The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), introduced by Davis in 1980, remains a widely used self-report tool designed to assess empathy from a multidimensional perspective, with adaptations for various languages and populations. However, many studies examining its psychometric properties have failed to replicate the original four-factor structure. Method: This instrumental study applied Classical Test Theory to adapt the IRI for use in Uruguay, with a sample of 858 adult participants (640 females, 218 males). Results: The original 28-item scale did not show a good fit with the four-factor model. Removing the reversed items led to an acceptable fit for both the original and a three-factor model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a shortened version of the scale, excluding the reversed items, would be more suitable for this population. Further research on the impact of reversed items is recommended. The study highlights the importance of ongoing investigation into the psychometric properties of the IRI, as well as the theoretical and practical implications of using a shortened version.
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publisher Universidad Católica del Uruguay
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spelling doaj-art-1436084e8acb4ab5b2bc56aacf6d38682025-08-20T01:53:04ZengUniversidad Católica del UruguayCiencias Psicológicas1688-42212025-04-0119110.22235/cp.v19i1.4005Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sampleMartin Bidegain0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8360-5659Marcela Carballo1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7117-7581Daniel Costa-Ball2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0477-2545Catholic University of UruguayCatholic University of UruguayCatholic University of Uruguay Background: The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), introduced by Davis in 1980, remains a widely used self-report tool designed to assess empathy from a multidimensional perspective, with adaptations for various languages and populations. However, many studies examining its psychometric properties have failed to replicate the original four-factor structure. Method: This instrumental study applied Classical Test Theory to adapt the IRI for use in Uruguay, with a sample of 858 adult participants (640 females, 218 males). Results: The original 28-item scale did not show a good fit with the four-factor model. Removing the reversed items led to an acceptable fit for both the original and a three-factor model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a shortened version of the scale, excluding the reversed items, would be more suitable for this population. Further research on the impact of reversed items is recommended. The study highlights the importance of ongoing investigation into the psychometric properties of the IRI, as well as the theoretical and practical implications of using a shortened version. https://revistas.ucu.edu.uy/index.php/cienciaspsicologicas/article/view/4005empathyIRIvalidationpsychometric propertiesassessment
spellingShingle Martin Bidegain
Marcela Carballo
Daniel Costa-Ball
Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sample
Ciencias Psicológicas
empathy
IRI
validation
psychometric properties
assessment
title Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sample
title_full Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sample
title_fullStr Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sample
title_full_unstemmed Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sample
title_short Validation of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in a Uruguayan sample
title_sort validation of the interpersonal reactivity index iri in a uruguayan sample
topic empathy
IRI
validation
psychometric properties
assessment
url https://revistas.ucu.edu.uy/index.php/cienciaspsicologicas/article/view/4005
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AT marcelacarballo validationoftheinterpersonalreactivityindexiriinauruguayansample
AT danielcostaball validationoftheinterpersonalreactivityindexiriinauruguayansample