Abstract
Purpose
The aims of this study were to: (1) examine the psychometric properties of the Greek version of JSE-HP and (2) explore empathy among Greek dental postgraduate students.
Methods
The JSE-HP scale was translated into Greek using the back translation method. The questionnaire was given to 111 dental postgraduate students between November 2017 and February 2018. A random sample of 25% was retested to assess test–retest reliability. The reliability of the Greek version of JSE-HP was measured with Cronbach’s alpha (α) and Discrimination Indices (DIs). Exploratory Factor Analysis, with varimax rotation of the factorial axes, was used to examine the dimensionality and the factorial validity of the Greek version of the JSE-HP. Comparisons between groups of postgraduate students were performed as appropriate with the Kruskal–Wallis or the Mann–Whitney U test.
Results
The response rate was 100%. The mean age was 28.9 years. The reliability, in the sense of internal consistency of the questionnaire was considered satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha: 0.76, average DI: 0.33.) The test–retest reliability was satisfactory (Pearson’s r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Factor Analysis revealed 7 significant factors. No statistically significant differences in empathy scores were found among groups of postgraduate students.
Conclusions
The Greek version of the JSE-HP shows good psychometric properties. Empathy scores do not differ among Greek dental postgraduate students.
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Data availability
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, Tzialla N.
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No funding was received for conducting this study. The financial costs of this research were paid by the first author. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
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The questionnaire and methodology for this study was approved by the Human Research Ethics committee of the University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) (protocol number 07/01–11-2016).
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Tzialla, N., Boka, V., Menexes, G. et al. Psychometric properties of the Greek version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy and empathy levels in Greek dental postgraduate students. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 24, 691–700 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-023-00826-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-023-00826-x