Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)

The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) is a reliable and valid 26-item questionnaire that assesses self-compassion, or how we treat ourselves during difficult times. For each item, respondents use a five-point Likert scale to rate how often they behave in a given way. The SCS contains 6 correlated subscales that are in opposition to each other as follows: Self-Kindness versus Self-Depression, Human Belonging versus Isolation, Mindfulness versus Over-Identification. The correlations between the factors can be explained by the presence of a common higher order factor - self-compassion.

Length of completion

The entire questionnaire takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Individualized feedback for the respondent

By evaluating the questionnaire, the respondent will find out how sensitive he/she is to himself/herself and how high or low his/her level of self-compassion is.

Keywords

Self-Compassion Scale, SCS, compassion, self-compassion, self-compassion, kindness to self, self-judgment, human belonging, isolation, mindfulness, over-identification

Scoring and interpretation

The overall measure of self-compassion is expressed as the sum of the mean scores on each subscale. First, however, the coding must be reversed for the items in the negative subscales (i.e., the self-judgment, isolation, and overidentification subscales). Thus, higher mean scores indicate higher levels of self-compassion. Self-kindness - items 5, 12, 19, 23, 26 Self-judgement - items: 1, 8, 11, 16, 21 Human belonging - items: 3, 7, 10, 15 Isolation - items 4, 13, 18, 25 Mindfulness - items: 9, 14, 17, 22 Over-identification - items: 2, 6, 20, 24

Response Scale

Subjects respond on a five-point Likert scale ranging from “Almost never” (1) to “Almost always” (5).

References

Benda, J. (2018). Alternative models of the Czech version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-26- CZ). [online]. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325908787_Alternative_models_of_the_Czech_version_of_the_Self-Compassion_Scale_SCS-26-CZ

Benda, J., & Reichová, A. (2016). Psychometrické charakteristiky české verze Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-CZ). Československá psychologie, 60(2), 120-136. https://www.jan-benda.com/downloads/benda_reichova2016.pdf

Instruments for Researchers. (2023). SELF-COMPASSION, Kristin Neff. Retrieved March 22, 2023, from https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-scales-for-researchers/

Neff, K. D. (2003). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027

Neff, K. D. (in press). Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention. Annual Review of Psychology. 74, 193-218. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-032420-031047

Neff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Yarnell, L. M., Arimitsu, K., Castilho, P., Ghorbani, N., Guo, H. X., Hirsch, J. K., Hupfeld, J., Hutz, C. S., Kotsou, I., Lee, W. K., Montero-Marin, J., Sirois, F. M., de Souza, L. K., Svendsen, J. L., Wilkinson, R. B., & Mantzios, M. (2019). Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores. Psychological assessment, 31(1), 27–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000629