Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores.
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: This study examined the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) using secondary data drawn from 20 samples (N = 11,685)-7 English and 13 non-English-including 10 community, 6 student, 1 mixed community/student, 1 meditator, and 2 clinical samples. Self-compassion is theorized to represent a system with 6 constituent components: self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness and reduced self-judgment, isolation and overidentification. There has been controversy as to whether a total score on the SCS or if separate scores representing compassionate versus uncompassionate self-responding should be used. The current study examined the factor structure of the SCS using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) to examine 5 distinct models: 1-factor, 2-factor correlated, 6-factor correlated, single-bifactor (1 general self-compassion factor and 6 group factors), and 2-bifactor models (2 correlated general factors each with 3 group factors representing compassionate or uncompassionate self-responding). Results indicated that a 1- and 2-factor solution to the SCS had inadequate fit in every sample examined using both CFA and ESEM, whereas fit was excellent using ESEM for the 6-factor correlated, single-bifactor and correlated 2-bifactor models. However, factor loadings for the correlated 2-bifactor models indicated that 2 separate factors were not well specified. A general factor explained 95% of the reliable item variance in the single-bifactor model. Results support use of the SCS to examine 6 subscale scores (representing the constituent components of self-compassion) or a total score (representing overall self-compassion), but not separate scores representing compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
Source: Psychological Assessment
DOI: 10.1037/pas0000629
Authors: Kristin D. Neff, István Tóth-Király, Lisa M. Yarnell, Kohki Arimitsu, Paula Castilho, Nima Ghorbani, Hailan Xiaoxia Guo, Jameson K. Hirsch, Jörg Hupfeld, Claudio S. Hutz, Ilios Kotsou, Woo Kyeong Lee, Jesus Montero-Marin, Fuschia M. Sirois, Luciana K. de Souza, Julie L. Svendsen, Ross B. Wilkinson, Michail Mantzios
Institutions: The University of Texas at Austin, Eötvös Loránd University, American Institutes for Research, Kwansei Gakuin University, University of Coimbra, University of Tehran, East Tennessee State University, University of Bern, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Seoul Cyber University, Red de Investigación en Actividades Preventivas y Promoción de la Salud, University of Sheffield, University of Bergen, University of Newcastle Australia, Newcastle University, Birmingham City University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared with maintenance antidepressant treatment in the prevention of depressive relapse/recurrence: results of a randomised controlled trial (the PREVENT study), Psychological and physiological effects of a loving-kindness and compassion based cognitive behavior therapy.
OpenAlex ID: W2888066044