Analyzing The Construct Validity of the Indonesian Basic Empathy Scale using the Rasch model

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to human social life. The ability for empathy plays an essential role in these changes because empathy enables the process of sharing experiences, needs, and desires between individuals. In this study, the author aims to evaluate, develop and modify the Basic Empathy Scale in Adults (BES-A) to adapt it to Indonesian culture, which will be transformed into Indonesian Basic Empathy Scale (I-BES). Methods: The methodology used in this research is a survey design. Research using a survey design, the participants, Indonesia (n= 101, male 17, female 84 regions 5 region), evaluation was done by analyzing the Indonesian Empathy Scale using the RASCH model. Results: Show that the instrument does not have unidimensionality. Based on the results of fitting the item model, several items on the I-BES were omitted because they were deemed inappropriate, including at least five items. The instrument has good dispersion reliability among items but low dispersion reliability among individuals. The Indonesian Basic Empathy Scale needs further improvement to obtain response categories based on its functions. Conclusion: This study can be used as teaching material for counseling and guidance groups, and the personality theory of sharpening the material regarding the development of empathy, in addition to the measurement instruments for the development of empathy, which can be used as material for counseling and guidance assessment courses.