Abstract
Background: The use of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) as a single measure has been pointed out as problematic by many authors and its originally proposed structure has repeatedly been called into question. The negative facets of this construct are more strongly related to psychopathology than the positive indicators. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the different structures proposed for the SCS, including a new measure based only on the negative factors, and to assess the psychometric features of the more plausible solution.Method: The study employed a cross-sectional and cross-cultural design. A sample of Brazilian (n = 406) and Spanish (n = 416) primary care professionals completed the SCS, and other questionnaires to measure psychological health-related variables. The SCS factor structure was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis by the maximum likelihood method. Internal consistency was assessed by squaring the correlation between the latent true variable and the observed variables. The relationships between the SCS and other constructs were analyzed using Spearman's rs.Results: The structure with the best fit was comprised of the three negative first-order factors of “self-judgment”, “isolation” and “over-identification”, and one negative second-order factor, which has been named “self-criticism” [CFI = 0.92; RMSEA = 0.06 (90% CI = 0.05–0.07); SRMR = 0.05]. This solution was supported by both samples, presented partial metric invariance [CFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.06 (90% CI = 0.05–0.06); SRMR = 0.06], and showed significant correlations with other health-related psychological constructs. Reliability was adequate for all the dimensions (R ≥ 0.70).Conclusions: The original structure proposed for the SCS was not supported by the data. Self-criticism, comprising only the negative SCS factors, might be a measure of uncompassionate behaviors toward the self, with good psychometric properties and practical implications from a clinical point of view, reaching a stable structure and overcoming possible methodological artifacts.
Highlights
In recent years there has been a growing global movement that recognizes the potential role of compassion in many fields, such as healthcare, business, education, and sports
An analytical cross-sectional and cross-cultural design was used for data collection in order to gain external validity, and use was made of an online platform with forced response, not allowing the generation of missing data
All materials used to produce these results are available upon request, including a detailed list of documents, data files needed, and what steps and in what sequence the interested researchers had to take in order to make this data available (King, 2013)
Summary
In recent years there has been a growing global movement that recognizes the potential role of compassion in many fields (http://charterforcompassion.org/), such as healthcare, business, education, and sports. Self-compassion is one of the two subtypes of compassion, in addition to compassion for others It has been defined as “being touched by and open to one’s own suffering, not avoiding or disconnecting from it, generating the desire to alleviate one’s suffering and to heal oneself with kindness” (Neff, 2003b). Mindfulness represents acceptance toward uncomfortable thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness, rather than over-identifying with them. All of these components interact with each other to form the construct (Neff, 2003b). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the different structures proposed for the SCS, including a new measure based only on the negative factors, and to assess the psychometric features of the more plausible solution
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