The Validity and Reliability of the Iranian Version of the Self-Compassion Scale

Objective: The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) which originally developed by Neff (2003a) is based on the assumption that the self-compassion comprised by self-kindness/self-judgment, common humanity/perceived isolation, and mindfulness/over-identification. This research was aimed to confirm the six-factor structure of SCS. Methods: 265 university students entered the research to assess the psychometric properties of SCS. The participants were asked to complete SCS, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Ruminative Response Scale and demographic questionnaires. Using Amos-21 and SPSS-21, descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were calculated. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for total SCS items, self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, perceived isolation, mindfulness and over-identification subscale were 0.78, 0.79, 0.79, 0.93, 0.90, 0.88 and 0.88 respectively. Results of CFA supported the sixfactor structure SCS [RMSEA=0.08 (0.078-0.092), NFI=0.86 and CFI=0.90]. The SCS showed a significant positive correlation with RSS (r=0.261, P<0.05) and a significant negative correlation with RRS (r=-0.363, P<0.05), BDI–II (r=-0.177, P<0.05) and STAI (r=-0.361, P<0.05). Conclusion: The six-factor structure of SCS demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties in Tehran universities students.