Validation of the Spanish version of the multifaceted empathy test: comparison between cannabis use effects and controls in social cognition
Alberto Sainz-Cort, Marta Martín-Islas, Daniel Jiménez‐garrido, Miriam López-Navarro, Genís Ona, Elena Muñoz Marrón, Luis Heredia, Mercè Gil-Pérez, Margarita Torrente, Paloma Vicens, José Carlos Bouso
International Clinical Psychopharmacology June 27, 2024 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000544 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 202 |
| Population | Cannabis users from a Cannabis Social Club and university students |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Empathy Social cognition Clinical psychology Test biology Theory of mind Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Cannabis users showed deficient overall emotional recognition, with reduced scores associated with positive stimuli, and a dampened reaction to negative stimuli. |
Abstract
Objective: While social cognition is shown to be impaired in several mental disorders, the effects of cannabis on social cognition are still not clear. Past studies have used the multifaceted empathy test (MET) to study social cognition. This study aims to test the validity of the MET Spanish version and to evaluate the effects of cannabis use on social cognition.
Methods: In total 116 participants from a Cannabis Social Club (CSC) completed the MET and the reading the mind in the eyes test (RMET) under the effects of cannabis and were compared to 86 university students (control group). Internal consistency and convergent validity were assessed. Cognitive empathy (CE) and emotional empathy (EE) were tested in both groups.
Results: The MET CE scale shows low internal consistency, while the EE scale shows high internal consistency. Items showed similar difficulty for both groups. Cannabis users showed deficient overall emotional recognition, with reduced scores associated with positive stimuli. Overall scores for EE were similar for both groups, but the experimental group scored lower with negative stimuli when compared to controls.
Conclusion: This study validates the MET Spanish version for its use in future studies. Results confirmed deficient emotional recognition in cannabis users and a dampened reaction to negative stimuli for the first time.