Adaptation and validation of the self-compassion scale (SCS) in an argentine context

Abstract

The current article describes the adaptation and validation of the Self-compassion Scale (SCS) developed by Neff (2003a) in an argentine sample of undergraduate college students and examines the factor structure of the scale to test three distinct models: six-factor correlated, second higher order, and single-bifactor. An argentine sample of undergraduate college students (N=478) completed the SCS, previously linguistically adapted and translated into Spanish. The analyses of three different models: six-factor correlated model, second higher order and single-bifactor model, were performed using CFA, mainly considering the statistical indices CFI, RMSEA and hierarchical omega index. External validity of the scale was tested using measures such as the difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS), a psychopathological symptomatology scale (SA-45) and a well-being scale that measures satisfaction with life (SWLS). Results indicated that the six-factor correlated model and the bifactor model showed adequate fit to the data. The SCS was found to be negatively correlated to difficulties in emotion regulation and psychopathological symptomatology, whereas correlating positively to satisfaction with life. Results demonstrate that the argentine SCS version can be used as a reliable measure to evaluate self-compassion in an argentine context.