Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self‐Compassion Scale

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to construct and validate a short-form version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Two Dutch samples were used to construct and cross-validate the factorial structure of a 12-item Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). The SCS-SF was then validated in a third, English sample. The SCS-SF demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.86 in all samples) and a near-perfect correlation with the long form SCS (r ≥ 0.97 all samples). Confirmatory factor analysis on the SCS-SF supported the same six-factor structure as found in the long form, as well as a single higher-order factor of self-compassion. The SCS-SF thus represents a reliable and valid alternative to the long-form SCS, especially when looking at overall self-compassion scores.

The relationship of hope to self-compassion, relational social skill, communication apprehension, and life satisfaction

“…Their results show that responses to the 12-item scale reproduce the underlying self-compassion factor structure and the higher-order single factor identifying self-compassion that is indexed by the 26-item scale. To reduce the potential of respondent fatigue the present study used the 12-item measure of self-compassion (Raes et al, 2011). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this scale of α = .75 shows good reliability in the present study.…”

“…Neff's (2003b) 26-item Self-Compassion Scale is commonly used to measure self-compassion (Akin & Eroglu, 2013;Baker & McNulty, 2011;Neff & Beretvas, 2013). In 2011 Raes and colleagues developed and tested a 12-item short version of this scale (Raes, Pommier, Neff, & Van Gucht, 2011). Raes et al (2011) demonstrate that the 12-item short form of the SelfCompassion Scale is a valid and reliable index that taps the same self-compassion construct as the 26-item scale.…”

“…In 2011 Raes and colleagues developed and tested a 12-item short version of this scale (Raes, Pommier, Neff, & Van Gucht, 2011). Raes et al (2011) demonstrate that the 12-item short form of the SelfCompassion Scale is a valid and reliable index that taps the same self-compassion construct as the 26-item scale. Their results show that responses to the 12-item scale reproduce the underlying self-compassion factor structure and the higher-order single factor identifying self-compassion that is indexed by the 26-item scale.…”

The effectiveness of self-help mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a student sample: A randomised controlled trial

“…Item ratings from 1-5 are summed to give a total score. Raes et al (2011) report high internal consistency (α=0.86) for the scale and a near perfect correlation (r=0.98) with the long form.…”

Construction and Factorial Validation of the Chinese Version of the Self-Compassion Scale for Gifted Students

“…It seemed that the different version of SCS had different factor structure, but the main structure still was six factors. Raes, Pommier, Neff, and Gucht (2011) proved that two Dutch samples were used to construct and cross-validate the factorial structure of a 12-item Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) , which was then validated in a third, English sample. Raes, Pommier, Neff, and Gucht found that the SCS-SF supported the same six-factor structure as found in the long form, as well as a single higher-order factor of self-compassion, and represents a reliable and valid alternative to the long-form SCS, especially when looking at overall self-compassion scores.…”