Examining the Self-Compassion Scale in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores

Neff, K and Tóth-Király, I and Yarnell, L and Arimitsu, K and Castilho, P and Ghorbani, N and Guo, H and Hirsch, J and Hupfield, J and Hutz, C and Kotsou, I and Lee, W and Sirois, F and de Souza, L and Svendsen, J and Wilkinson, L and Mantzios, Michail (2019) Examining the Self-Compassion Scale in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores. Psychological Assessment, 31 (1). pp. 27-45. ISSN 1040-3590

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000629
Dates:	Date Event 18 May 2018 Accepted 31 July 2019 Published Online
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences > Dept. Psychology
Depositing User:	Michael Mantzios
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2018 08:22
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2022 15:42
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/6193

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