Examining the Self-Compassion Scale in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores

This study examined the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) using secondary data drawn from 20 samples (N = 11,685) — 7 English and 13 non-English — including 10 community, 6 student, 1 mixed community/student, 1 meditator, and 2 clinical samples. Self-compassion is theorized to represent a system with six constituent components - self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness and reduced self-judgment, isolation and overidentification. There has been controversy as to whether a total score on the SCS or if separate scores representing compassionate versus uncompassionate self-responding should be used. The current study examined the factor structure of the SCS using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) to examine five distinct models: onefactor, two-factor correlated, six-factor correlated, single-bifactor (one general self-compassion factor and six group factors), and two-bifactor models (two correlated general factors each with three group factors representing compassionate or uncompassionate self-responding). Results indicated that a one- and two-factor solution to the SCS had inadequate fit in every sample examined using both CFA and ESEM, whereas fit was excellent using ESEM for the six-factor correlated, single-bifactor and correlated two-bifactor models. However, factor loadings for the correlated two-bifactor models indicated that two separate factors were not well specified. A general factor explained 95% of the reliable item variance in the single-bifactor model. Results support use of the SCS to examine six subscale scores (representing the constituent components of self-compassion) or a total score (representing overall self-compassion), but not separate scores representing compassionate and uncompassionate self-responding.