An examination of the psychometric properties of the Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form among a help-seeking clinical sample

In recent years, interest in the use of mindfulness interventions in clinical psychology has grown exponentially. Self-compassion is an integral aspect of mindfulness practice and has become a burgeoning area of research. The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003a) was developed to make this research possible. Using the SCS, self-compassion has been shown to be related to psychological well-being and interventions are now being created to increase self-compassion. However, the SCS has primarily been used with undergraduate samples and the use of the SCS with clinical populations has been largely unaddressed in the research. Given the apparent benefits of high self-compassion, it is important that the SCS be validated with clinical populations, particularly if this population is going to be a target for intervention. The current study sought to address this issue by collecting normative data for the SCS among a help-seeking clinical sample. Due to small sample size, analyses were completed using only items found on Self-Compassion Scale – Short-Form (Raes, Pommier, Neff, & Van Gucht, 2011). It was found that self-compassion scores were significantly lower in the present sample compared to a previous non-clinical sample. Significant correlations were found between selfcompassion and measures of self-esteem, anxiety, and stress, replicating previous findings. Self-compassion was not significantly correlated with satisfaction with life or depressive symptoms. Unfortunately, confirmatory factor analysis was not interpretable due to small sample size. Overall, the results provide some initial support that the SCS is an appropriate measure for help-seeking clinical populations. Additional research with this population is warranted. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. Comments Library Use: LIH This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/430 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the “Rights” section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see “Rights” on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license. ] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. copyright@pacificu.edu This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/430 Running Head: MEASURING SELF-COMPASSION IN A CLINICAL SAMPLE i AN EXAMINATION OF THE PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE SELFCOMPASSION SCALE – SHORT FORM AMONG A HELP-SEEKING CLINICAL SAMPLE A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY SARAH VORUZ IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY MAY 3, 2013 APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE: Michael S. Christopher, PhD Paul G. Michael, PhD PROFESSOR AND DEAN: Christiane Brems, PhD MEASURING SELF-COMPASSION IN A CLINICAL SAMPLE ii ABSTRACT In recent years, interest in the use of mindfulness interventions in clinical psychology has grown exponentially. Self-compassion is an integral aspect of mindfulness practice and has become a burgeoning area of research. The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003a) was developed to make this research possible. Using the SCS, self-compassion has been shown to be related to psychological well-being and interventions are now being created to increase self-compassion. However, the SCS has primarily been used with undergraduate samples and the use of the SCS with clinical populations has been largely unaddressed in the research. Given the apparent benefits of high self-compassion, it is important that the SCS be validated with clinical populations, particularly if this population is going to be a target for intervention. The current study sought to address this issue by collecting normative data for the SCS among a help-seeking clinical sample. Due to small sample size, analyses were completed using only items found on Self-Compassion Scale – Short-Form (Raes, Pommier, Neff, & Van Gucht, 2011). It was found that self-compassion scores were significantly lower in the present sample compared to a previous non-clinical sample. Significant correlations were found between self-compassion and measures of self-esteem, anxiety, and stress, replicating previous findings. Self-compassion was not significantly correlated with satisfaction with life or depressive symptoms. Unfortunately, confirmatory factor analysis was not interpretable due to small sample size. Overall, the results provide some initial support that the SCS is an appropriate measure for help-seeking clinical populations. Additional research with this population is warranted.