IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE

Problem and Objective. This study aimed to develop and validate a reliable instrument for measuring empathy in the context of sports participation among high school students. Understanding empathy in sports is essential, as it contributes to the development of cooperative and respectful behavior.
Materials and Methods. The instrument development followed four structured stages: initial design based on theoretical frameworks, expert judgment for content validation, a pilot study, and empirical testing. Content validation was conducted by three experts who assessed each item based on clarity, relevance, and feasibility. A total of 44 students (26 males, 18 females; average age 16) participated in the pilot study. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to examine construct validity, while internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha, and temporal stability through a test-retest approach.

Results. The EFA results indicated a unidimensional factor structure that explained 73.55% of the total variance, suggesting that all items measured a single construct of empathy in sports. Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.774, indicating good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was very high, with Pearson correlation values ranging from 0.874 to 0.997 and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.934, confirming the instrument’s stability over time.
Conclusion. The developed instrument is valid and reliable for assessing empathy in sports participation among students. It provides a practical tool for teachers, coaches, and researchers to evaluate empathy-related behaviors in physical education settings and can support the design of educational programs that promote empathy in youth sports