title: Two is more valid than one: Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS).
abstract: The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003a) is the most widely used measure of self-compassion. Self-compassion, as measured by the SCS, is robustly linked to psychological health (Macbeth & Gumley, 2012; Zessin, Dickhaüser, & Garbade, 2015). The SCS is currently understood as exhibiting a higher-order structure comprised of 6 first-order factors and 1 second-order general self-compassion factor. Recently, some researchers have questioned the internal validity of this 1-factor conceptualization, and posit that the SCS may instead be comprised of 2 general factors-self-compassion and self-coldness. The current paper provides an in-depth examination of the internal structure of the SCS using oblique, higher-order, and bifactor structural models in a sample of 1,115 college students. The bifactor model comprised of 2 general factors-self-compassion and self-coldness-and 6 specific factors demonstrated the best fit to the data. Results also indicated the Self-Coldness factor accounted for unique variance in depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas the Self-Compassion factor only accounted for unique variance in its association with depression, providing further evidence for the presence of 2 distinct factors. Results did not provide support for the 1-factor composition of self-compassion currently used in research. Implications for using, scoring, and interpreting the SCS are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1069-9591
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Credé
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004645:Empathy / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult