Self-compassion (SC) is a trait of having a compassionate attitude toward oneself when experiencing a difficult situation. Recent studies focused on its temporal fluctuation; moreover, Neff et al. (2021) developed a scale to assess the state level of SC. Although its psychometric reliability and validity were confirmed, it was unclear whether it could be adopted in diverse samples. Therefore, we aimed to provide additional evidence using Japanese samples that are recognized as having a high propensity for self-criticism. Study 1 (preregistered) and Study 2 compared several factor models of the scale and demonstrated that the bifactor model using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) was the best solution. Moreover, the state scale performed better in predicting affect than the trait SC, supporting the incremental validity. Most of the correlations with the trait SC and the positive/negative affect were nearly as expected. In Study 3, an experimental induction of SC indicated that those in the SC condition experienced an improved state SC after the writing tasks, whereas those in the control condition did not. Study 4 replicated these results and revealed that state SC was more easily improved by the writing manipulation than trait SC. Most of the previous research’s results were replicated; furthermore, additional supportive evidence was established across the four studies. We suggest the utility of the State Self-Compassion Scale and discuss some different findings obtained from the Western samples from a cultural perspective.

This study examined the relationship between self‐compassion and turnover intention among early career nurses in Japan, as well as the mediating effects of nursing job stress, burnout, and work engagement. A total of 326 nurses, with over 5 years of experience, participated in a web‐based survey. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the relationship between self‐compassion and other factors related to turnover. Self‐compassion, job stress, burnout, work engagement, and turnover intention were assessed using the Japanese Burnout Scale, Nursing Job Stressor Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Self‐Compassion Scale. The model fit indices showed acceptable estimates. Self‐compassion was negatively associated with nursing job stress and burnout and positively associated with work engagement. Moreover, conflict with other nursing staff and quantitative work were positively associated with burnout, whereas qualitative work was negatively associated with work engagement. However, nursing role conflict was negatively associated with burnout and positively associated with work engagement. Burnout predicted turnover intention, whereas work engagement did not. Thus, increasing self‐compassion may reduce stress among early career nurses and reduce turnover intention.

Self-compassion is a trait of having a compassionate attitude toward oneself when experiencing a difficult situation. Recent studies focused on its temporal fluctuation; moreover, Neff et al. (2021) developed a scale to assess the state level of self-compassion. Although its psychometric reliability and validity were confirmed, it was unclear whether it could be adopted in diverse samples. Therefore, we aimed to provide additional evidence using Japanese samples that are recognized as having a high propensity for self-criticism. Study 1 (pre-registered) and Study 2 compared several factor models of the scale and demonstrated that the bifactor model using exploratory structural equation modeling was the best solution. Moreover, the state scale performed better in predicting affect than the trait self-compassion, supporting the incremental validity. Most of the correlations with the trait self-compassion and the positive/negative affect were nearly as expected. In Study 3, an experimental induction of self-compassion indicated that those in the self-compassion condition experienced an improved state self-compassion after the writing tasks, whereas those in the control condition did not. Study 4 replicated these results and revealed that state self-compassion was more easily improved by the writing manipulation than trait self-compassion. Most of the previous research’s results were replicated; furthermore, additional supportive evidence was established across the four studies. We suggest the utility of the state self-compassion scale and discuss some different findings obtained from the Western samples from a cultural perspective.

Self-compassion is a trait of having a compassionate attitude toward oneself when experiencing a difficult situation. Recent studies focused on its temporal fluctuation; moreover, Neff et al. (2021) developed a scale to assess the state level of self-compassion. Although its psychometric reliability and validity were confirmed, it was unclear whether it could be adopted in diverse samples. Therefore, we aimed to provide additional evidence using Japanese samples that are recognized as having a high propensity for self-criticism. Study 1 (pre-registered) and Study 2 compared several factor models of the scale and demonstrated that the bifactor model using exploratory structural equation modeling was the best solution. Moreover, the state scale performed better in predicting affect than the trait self-compassion, supporting the incremental validity. Most of the correlations with the trait self-compassion and the positive/negative affect were nearly as expected. In Study 3, an experimental induction of self-compassion indicated that those in the self-compassion condition experienced an improved state self-compassion after the writing tasks, whereas those in the control condition did not. Study 4 replicated these results and revealed that state self-compassion was more easily improved by the writing manipulation than trait self-compassion. Most of the previous research’s results were replicated; furthermore, additional supportive evidence was established across the four studies. We suggest the utility of the state self-compassion scale and discuss some different findings obtained from the Western samples from a cultural perspective.

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