Two is More Valid than One, but is Six Even Better? : The Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)
Kumlander, Sonja (2018-02-26)
Two is More Valid than One, but is Six Even Better? : The Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)
Kumlander, Sonja
(26.02.2018)
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Turun yliopisto
Tiivistelmä
Self-compassion refers to a non-evaluative, interconnected and mindful attitude to oneself especially when facing difficulties or feelings of personal inadequacies. Self-compassion consists of three components: 1) kindness and understanding to oneself; 2) seeing inadequacies as a part of common humanity; and 3) awareness of one´s experience of suffering in moments of distress.
Current study examined the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), which is currently the most vastly used instrument to measure self-compassion. Recently the psychometric validity and the theoretical consistency of the scale have been called into question. The original conceptualization of the SCS as a six-subscale measure that can also be used as a total score on the basis of one hierarchical factor has been disputed. Recent findings concerning the internal structure have been inconsistent and have provided support also for the two-dimensional model, with self-compassion and self-coldness as distinct yet correlated dimensions.
The data were collected as a part of a larger project “Well-being for upper secondary education”. The final sample consisted of 1725 Finnish Upper Secondary School Students. The factor structure of the SCS was examined utilizing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and six models were tested: one-factor model, an oblique six-factor model, a higher-order model, an oblique two-factor model, a bi-factor model with one general factor and a bi-factor model with two general factors. In addition, criterion validity of the scale was investigated by exploring the associations between the factors of the SCS and depression.
The results suggested that the six-factor model had a good fit to the data. However, the negative components of the SCS were highly correlated with each other, especially with the over-identification factor. The two-factor model had an acceptable fit, but none of the remaining models tested (the one-factor, the higher order and the bifactor models) met the criteria for an adequate solution. This evidence supports the use of either the six subscale scores, or the separate self-compassion- and self-coldness -scores rather than the overall score. More research is needed in order to validate the factor structure of the SCS, and to examine the validity of the scale across different ages. A deeper understanding of the internal structure of the SCS could contribute to the development of more effective self-compassion based interventions in the future.
Current study examined the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), which is currently the most vastly used instrument to measure self-compassion. Recently the psychometric validity and the theoretical consistency of the scale have been called into question. The original conceptualization of the SCS as a six-subscale measure that can also be used as a total score on the basis of one hierarchical factor has been disputed. Recent findings concerning the internal structure have been inconsistent and have provided support also for the two-dimensional model, with self-compassion and self-coldness as distinct yet correlated dimensions.
The data were collected as a part of a larger project “Well-being for upper secondary education”. The final sample consisted of 1725 Finnish Upper Secondary School Students. The factor structure of the SCS was examined utilizing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and six models were tested: one-factor model, an oblique six-factor model, a higher-order model, an oblique two-factor model, a bi-factor model with one general factor and a bi-factor model with two general factors. In addition, criterion validity of the scale was investigated by exploring the associations between the factors of the SCS and depression.
The results suggested that the six-factor model had a good fit to the data. However, the negative components of the SCS were highly correlated with each other, especially with the over-identification factor. The two-factor model had an acceptable fit, but none of the remaining models tested (the one-factor, the higher order and the bifactor models) met the criteria for an adequate solution. This evidence supports the use of either the six subscale scores, or the separate self-compassion- and self-coldness -scores rather than the overall score. More research is needed in order to validate the factor structure of the SCS, and to examine the validity of the scale across different ages. A deeper understanding of the internal structure of the SCS could contribute to the development of more effective self-compassion based interventions in the future.