The Empathy Toward Animals (ETA) scale measures two dimensions of animal-directed empathy: (1) Empathic Concern, encompassing the emotional aspects, and (2) Perspective Taking, encompassing the cognitive aspects. Although adapted from an existing measure of human-directed empathy, the original version of the ETA scale has not undergone a comprehensive investigation of its internal and external validity. Nevertheless, it continues to be used in research assessing animal-directed empathy, based on indicators of internal consistency and face/content validity. The current study sought to enhance the evidence for the ETA scale by (1) evaluating construct validity and (2) assessing convergent validity. To accomplish these objectives, a sample of 800 adults was recruited. Construct validity was evaluated using two sample cross-validation techniques to perform confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, as well as assess internal consistency. Convergent validity was assessed through correlation matrices, t-tests, and a multiple linear regression exploring variables associated with the ETA scale. Results support the reliability of two distinct dimensions (i.e., Empathic Concern and Perspective Taking) and the latent variable (i.e., Empathy Toward Animals), and there were significant associations with conceptual constructs as expected (e.g., human-directed empathy and compassion, attitudes and beliefs about animals and nature, demographic variables). Additionally, human-directed empathy and nature relatedness significantly predict ETA. Implications for the definition and measurement of animal-directed empathy are discussed. The findings highlight the potential of leveraging empathy within interventions aimed at deepening human–animal bonds and promoting pro-environmental behaviors.

Claudia Dias Martins

Rodrigo C. Vergara

Bassam Khoury

Anthrozoös

作为人类与动物关系学术对话的重要论坛，ANTHROZOÖS 是一本经过同行评议的季刊，自 1987 年创刊以来，作为该领域的先驱，享有卓越的历史。ANTHROZOÖS 的关键前提是解决其特点和人类学、行为学、医学、心理学、兽医学和动物学等不同领域的人与非人类动物之间的相互作用和关系的后果。因此，文章涵盖了人类与动物关系的方方面面，从艺术和人文学科的治疗，到行为、生物学、社会和健康科学。

Anthrozoos is an important forum for academic dialogue on human-animal relationships. Established in 1987, it is a peer-reviewed quarterly that has a distinguished history as a pioneer in the field. The journal's key premise is to explore the interactions and relationships between humans and non-human animals and their implications across various disciplines, including anthropology, behavioral science, medicine, psychology, veterinary science, and zoology. Consequently, articles cover a wide range of topics related to human-animal relationships, from therapeutic approaches in the arts and humanities to studies in behavior, biology, social sciences, and health sciences.

《Anthrozoos》是人类与动物关系学术对话的重要论坛，创刊于1987年，经过同行评议的季刊，作为该领域的先驱，享有卓越的历史。该期刊的核心理念是探讨人类与非人类动物之间的相互作用及其在不同领域（如人类学、行为学、医学、心理学、兽医学和动物学）中的影响。因此，文章涵盖了人类与动物关系的各个方面，从艺术和人文学科的治疗，到行为、生物学、社会科学和健康科学等领域。

Category	Quartile
农林科学	2
农林科学, 兽医学	2
农林科学, 社会学	4

Internal and External Validation of the Empathy Toward Animals Scale

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
VETERINARY SCIENCES	2