Abstract
The concept of self-compassion originated from Buddhism, but very little is known about the utility and functions of this concept among Buddhists. Four hundred and eleven individuals (179 Buddhists and 232 non-Buddhists) completed the survey packages using the self-compassion scale (SCS; Neff in Self Identity 2(3):223–250, 2003a. doi:10.1080/15298860309027). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original six dimensions of the SCS were not replicated by both samples, and further analysis of the intra-correlations within dimensions of SCS and relationships between SCS and other variables showed unexpected results specific to Buddhists. Among Buddhists, the dimensions of self-kindness and common humanity neither showed negative correlations with their opposite dimensions nor were associated with better emotional outcomes. In addition, these two dimensions were not predicted by the regular practice of loving-kindness meditation. This study argued that the ideas of self-compassion reflected in the SCS are theoretically different from the ideas of Buddhism, and further implications for measuring and clinically applying self-compassion were discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baer, R. A., Lykins, E. L., & Peters, J. R. (2012). Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(3), 230–238. doi:10.1080/17439760.2012.674548.
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27–45. doi:10.1177/1073191105283504.
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Lykins, E., Button, D., Krietemeyer, J., Sauer, S., & Williams, J. M. G. (2008). Construct validity of the five facet mindfulness questionnaire in meditating and nonmeditating samples. Assessment, 15(3), 329–342. doi:10.1177/1073191107313003.
Baker, L. R., & McNulty, J. K. (2011). Self-compassion and relationship maintenance: The moderating roles of conscientiousness and gender. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(5), 853. doi:10.1037/a0021884.
Bentler, P. M. (1990). Comparative fit indexes in structural models. Psychological Bulletin, 107, 238–246. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.107.2.238.
Brion, J. M., Leary, M. R., & Drabkin, A. S. (2014). Self-compassion and reactions to serious illness: The case of HIV. Journal of Health Psychology, 19(2), 218–229. doi:10.1177/1359105312467391.
Cardaciotto, L., Herbert, J. D., Forman, E. M., Moitra, E., & Farrow, V. (2008). The assessment of present-moment awareness and acceptance the Philadelphia mindfulness scale. Assessment, 15(2), 204–223. doi:10.1177/1073191107311467.
Chen, J., Yan, L., & Zhou, L. (2011). Reliability and validity of chinese version of self-compassion scale. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 19(6), 734–736.
Chen, W., & Zhang, J. (2004). Factorial and construct validity of the Chinese positive and negative affect scale for student. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 18(11), 763–765. doi:10.3321/j.issn:1000-6729.2004.11.003.
Christopher, M. S., Charoensuk, S., Gilbert, B. D., Neary, T. J., & Pearce, K. L. (2009). Mindfulness in Thailand and the USA: A case of apples versus oranges? Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(6), 590–612. doi:10.1002/jclp.20580.
Cohen, J. (1969). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. New York: Academic Press.
Di, X., & Zheng, Q. (2008). A study of the predictive validity of self-esteem for subjective well-being with the approach of implicit social cognition. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 16, 243–246. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1005-3611.2008.03.006.
Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75. doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13.
Gilbert, P., McEwan, K., Matos, M., & Rivis, A. (2011). Fears of compassion: Development of three self-report measures. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 84(3), 239–255. doi:10.1348/147608310X526511.
Hart, W. (1987). The art of living: Vipassana meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka. San Francisco: HarperCollins.
Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64(6), 1152. doi:10.1037/0022-006x.64.6.1152.
Neff, K. D. (2003a). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250. doi:10.1080/15298860309027.
Neff, K. D. (2003b). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. doi:10.1080/15298860309032.
Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44. doi:10.1002/jclp.21923.
Neff, K. D., Hsieh, Y. P., & Dejitterat, K. (2005). Self-compassion, achievement goals, and coping with academic failure. Self and Identity, 4(3), 263–287. doi:10.1080/13576500444000317.
Neff, K. D., & Pommier, E. (2013). The relationship between self-compassion and other-focused concern among college undergraduates, community adults, and practicing meditators. Self and Identity, 12(2), 160–176. doi:10.1080/15298868.2011.649546.
Neff, K. D., Rude, S. S., & Kirkpatrick, K. L. (2007). An examination of self-compassion in relation to positive psychological functioning and personality traits. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(4), 908–916. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2006.08.002.
Peng, Y., & Shen, J. (2012). The analysis of self-compassion and self-construal in the compassion-contemplation of Buddhism. Advances in Psychological Science, 20, 1479–1486.
Phang, C. K., & Oei, T. P. S. (2012). From mindfulness to meta-mindfulness: Further integration of meta-mindfulness concept and strategies into cognitive-behavioral therapy. Mindfulness, 3(2), 104–116. doi:10.1007/s12671-011-0084-z.
Sears, S. R., Kraus, S., Carlough, K., & Treat, E. (2011). Perceived benefits and doubts of participants in a weekly meditation study. Mindfulness, 2(3), 167–174. doi:10.1007/s12671-011-0055-4.
Steiger, J. H., & Lind, J. C. (1980). Statistically based tests for the number of common factors. Paper presented at the Spring Meeting of the Psychometric Society, Iowa City, IA.
Van Dam, N. T., Sheppard, S. C., Forsyth, J. P., & Earleywine, M. (2011). Self-compassion is a better predictor than mindfulness of symptom severity and quality of life in mixed anxiety and depression. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25(1), 123–130. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.08.011.
Williams, M. J., Dalgleish, T., Karl, A., & Kuyken, W. (2014). Examining the factor structures of the five facet mindfulness questionnaire and the self-compassion scale. Psychological Assessment, 26, 407–418. doi:10.1037/a0035566.
Zeng, X., Li, M., Zhang, B., & Liu, X. (2015). Revision of the Philadelphia mindfulness scale for measuring awareness and equanimity in Goenka’s Vipassana meditation with Chinese Buddhists. Journal of Religion and Health, 54(2), 623–637. doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9870-y.
Zeng, X., Oei, T. P. S., Ye, Y., & Liu, X. (2013). A critical analysis of the concepts and measurement of awareness and equanimity in Goenka’s Vipassana meditation. Journal of Religion and Health, 54(2), 399–412. doi:10.1007/s10943-013-9796-9.
Acknowledgments
Dr. Oei is now an Emeritus Professor of UQ and a Visiting professor at James Cook and Nanjing Universities.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zeng, X., Wei, J., Oei, T.P. et al. The Self-Compassion Scale is Not Validated in a Buddhist Sample. J Relig Health 55, 1996–2009 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0205-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0205-z