title: Evaluating the Multifactor Structure of the Long and Short Versions of the Self-Compassion Scale in a Clinical Sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There has been a growing interest in the concept of self-compassion in Eastern psychology. The aim of the present study was to explore the dimensionality of the widely used Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; long and short versions) in both clinical and nonclinical samples
  
  
  METHODS
  Several confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were computed in a mixed clinical (n = 316) and a nonclinical sample (n = 1128) from the Portuguese population. Also, differences were tested between the groups in the SCS 6 factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CFA supported both a 6-factor model and a hierarchical model in both samples. The SCS also showed good psychometric properties, with good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity. Our study further suggests that individuals with several psychopathological disorders showed significantly lower self-compassionate abilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SCS (long and short versions) is thus a reliable instrument to assess self-compassion and is useful for research and, in particular, clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castilho
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinto-Gouveia
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra.
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duarte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004645:Empathy; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011174:Portugal; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report / Q000592:standards*; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Self-Compassion Scale; clinical sample; confirmatory factor analysis; psychometric properties