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Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form Adapted for Children Ages 8–12

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Abstract

Research on self-compassion in adults and adolescents has consistently shown positive associations of self-compassion to mindfulness, psychological and physical well-being, self-esteem, and compassion towards others. Yet, self-compassion in children has not been examined. The present study was conducted to explore the reliability and validity of the Self-Compassion Scale for Children (SCS-C). A sample of 406 children, ages 8 to 12, completed the SCS-C and measures of mindfulness, self-concept, well-being and psychological adjustment, empathic-related responding, and prosocial goals. Results indicated a two-factor structure for the SCS-C with negatively-worded items and positively-worded items forming two discrete subscales, each with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .81–.83). Children’s scores on the positive and negative self-compassion subscales were significantly related to most of the self-reported measures in the expected directions. These findings provide insight into the factor structure of the SCS-C and are consistent with previous research on the Self-Compassion Scale with adult and adolescent populations. Limitations and future directions are discussed with regard to the two-factor structure of the SCS-C and its relevance for research and applications.

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Notes

  1. Because our scale was adapted from the SCS-SF, which only contained two items from each of the original six subscales, we were not able to test the six-factor model of the original SCS. At least three items are required to test the factor structure of a subscale.

  2. Omega hierarchical is the sum of the factor loadings squared, divided by the variance of the scaled scores.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Dealy 316, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY, 10458-9993, USA

    Essie Sutton

  2. Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, University of British Columbia, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, Amery D. Wu & Molly Stewart Lawlor

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  1. Essie Sutton
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  2. Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl
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Correspondence to Essie Sutton.

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This study was funded by the University of British Columbia’s Hampton Research Fund and the Mind and Life Institute’s Francisco Varela Award.

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Sutton, E., Schonert-Reichl, K.A., Wu, A.D. et al. Evaluating the Reliability and Validity of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form Adapted for Children Ages 8–12. Child Ind Res 11, 1217–1236 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-017-9470-y

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