Examining the Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale in Four Distinct Populations: Is the Use of a Total Scale Score Justified?. Issue 6 (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Neff, Kristin D.; Whittaker, Tiffany A.; Karl, Anke
• Is Part Of: Journal of personality assessment. Volume 99:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 596
• Page End: 607
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: Personality assessment -- Periodicals; Psychology; Periodicals; 155.28
• DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2016.1269334
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3891

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study examined the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) using a bifactor model, a higher order model, a 6-factor correlated model, a 2-factor correlated model, and a 1-factor model in 4 distinct populations: college undergraduates ( N = 222), community adults ( N = 1, 394), individuals practicing Buddhist meditation ( N = 215), and a clinical sample of individuals with a history of recurrent depression ( N = 390). The 6-factor correlated model demonstrated the best fit across samples, whereas the 1- and 2-factor models had poor fit. The higher order model also showed relatively poor fit across samples, suggesting it is not representative of the relationship between subscale factors and a general self-compassion factor. The bifactor model, however, had acceptable fit in the student, community, and meditator samples. Although fit was suboptimal in the clinical sample, results suggested an overall self-compassion factor could still be interpreted with some confidence. Moreover, estimates suggested a general self-compassion factor accounted for at least 90% of the reliable variance in SCS scores across samples, and item factor loadings and intercepts were equivalent across samples. Results suggest that a total SCS score can be used as an overall mesure of self-compassion.