Psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) in university Mexicans Propiedades psicométricas del Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) en mexicanos universitarios

Abstract

Empathy is a relevant skill in human behavior  since it allows us to understand and act according to the emotional states of others. Empathy can be evaluated through self- report measures such as the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the IRI (Pérez-Albéniz, de Paúl, Etxeberría, Paz, & Torres, 2003) in university students, for their adaptation to the Mexican context. Material and Method: The IRI was applied to 729 undergraduate students of various faculties of the Benemérita Autonomous University of Puebla. Results: The results indicate that the IRI adaptation shows an adequate internal consistency (α = .81), and the confirmatory analysis corroborated the theoretical structure of four factors, similar to the Spanish adaptation and the original version. Likewise, there were gender differences in the four dimensions. Conclusion: The study provides an adequate internal consistency of the IRI to be used in the Mexican population with characteristics similar to those of this research. However, it is suggested to corroborate its external validity and expand the sample in other areas of the country to generalize its adaptation throughout the Mexican territory.