Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2026, 17(3):2518-2527 | DOI: 10.15452/cejnm.2026.17.0019

Translation and validation of the Multifaceted Empathy Test into Croatian in a sample of health professionals

Helena Štrucelj1,2, Ljerka Ostojić2,3,4, Mladenka Tkalčić3
1 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
2 Centre for Mind and Behaviour, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
3 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
4 Division of Cognitive Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Aim: The aim was to translate the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET-core-2) into Croatian using the back translation method and validate it on a sample of health professionals.

Design: A cross-sectional correlational study.

Methods: The sample consisted of 179 health professionals (age range 21–58 years). The Empathy Quotient questionnaire was used to test convergent validity, while the Big Five Inventory and the Dirty Dozen questionnaire were used to test divergent validity.

Results: Our results suggested similar psychometric properties of the Croatian version of the MET-core-2 and two comparative studies: high reliability of the emotional empathy scales (Cronbachʼs alpha > 0.950) and low reliability of the cognitive empathy scales (Cronbachʼs alpha from 0.273 to 0.411). The results for convergent and divergent validity of emotional empathy were in line with predicted patterns based on previous studies using empathy questionnaires, whereas some deviations from expected patterns were obtained for cognitive empathy. These discrepancies can be explained by differences in how empathy is assessed using performance-based tests versus self-report questionnaires.

Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that the Croatian version of the MET-core-2 is suitable for research use among health professionals.

Keywords: back translation method, cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, health professionals, Multifaceted Empathy Test

Received: October 8, 2025; Revised: June 16, 2026; Accepted: August 10, 2026; Published: September 6, 2026  Show citation

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Štrucelj H, Ostojić L, Tkalčić M. Translation and validation of the Multifaceted Empathy Test into Croatian in a sample of health professionals. Central European Journal of Nursing and Midwifery. 2026;17(3):2518-2527. doi: 10.15452/cejnm.2026.17.0019.
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