Articles
Publication Date: 2025
Frontiers in Psychiatry (16640640)16
Introduction: Empathy, a complex and multidimensional construct essential for social functioning and mental health, has been extensively studied in both research and clinical settings. The Perth Empathy Scale (PES), a recently developed self-report measure, assesses cognitive and affective empathy across both positive and negative emotions and is based on the self-other model of empathy. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the PES in large Iranian sample. Methods: A total of 868 Iranian adults participated in this study. Factorial validity was examined through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).Internal consistency and concurrent validity were assessed by examining correlations with established empathy measures, including the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE), as well as the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) and the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Measurement invariance was also tested between Iranian and Australian samples. Results: The findings supported a three-factor model comprising cognitive empathy, negative affective empathy, and positive affective empathy. The Persian PES demonstrated structural validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity, suggesting it is a reliable measure for empathy assessment across cultural contexts. Discussion: This study provides empirical support for the validity of the Persian PES and contributes to the expanding body of research on empathy assessment. The results suggest that the PES can be effectively used in Persian- speaking populations. Copyright © 2025 Lashkari, Brett, Abdolpour and Mazidi.
Publication Date: 2024
Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (17358639)18(2)
Background: Sexual function is a critical aspect of human life, significantly impacting mental and physical health, social behavior, and quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the structural relationships among sexual inhibition (SI), sexual excitation (SE), sexual dysfunctional beliefs, and female sexual function. Methods: Employing a descriptive correlational design, the study administered questionnaires to 402 female employees in the administrative departments of Tehran and Tabriz universities, utilizing convenience sampling. The instruments included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Sexual Inhibition and Sexual Excitation Questionnaire (SISE-W), and Sexual Dysfunctional Beliefs Questionnaire (SDBQ). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 24 and Lisrel version 8.8 software. Results: Our findings revealed that SE related to FSFI both directly (B = 0.29; P < 0.01) and through the mediating role of sexual dysfunction beliefs. However, SI did not exhibit a direct relationship with FSFI (B = -0.07; P > 0.05). Additionally, sexual dysfunction beliefs significantly predicted FSFI (B = -0.40; P < 0.01). The assumed model demonstrated good fit with the acquired data (CFI = 0.98, NFI = 0.96, RFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.08). Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that sexually dysfunctional beliefs play a mediating role in the correlation between inhibition, SE, and female sexual function. © 2024, Yahagh et al.
