Self–Compassion is Best Measured as a Global Construct and is Overlapping with but Distinct from Neuroticism: A Response to Pfattheicher, Geiger, Hartung, Weiss, and Schindler (2017)

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin D. Neff ◽  
István Tóth–Király ◽  
Ken Colosimo
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Large Correlation ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Compassion Scale

Pfattheicher and colleagues recently published an article entitled ‘Old Wine in New Bottles? The Case of Self–compassion and Neuroticism’ that argues the negative items of the Self–compassion Scale (SCS), which represent reduced uncompassionate self–responding, are redundant with neuroticism (especially its depression and anxiety facets) and do not evidence incremental validity in predicting life satisfaction. Using potentially problematic methods to examine the factor structure of the SCS (higher–order confirmatory factor analysis), they suggest a total self–compassion score should not be used and negative items should be dropped. In Study 1, we present a reanalysis of their data using what we argue are more theoretically appropriate methods (bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling) that support use of a global self–compassion factor (explaining 94% of item variance) over separate factors representing compassionate and reduced uncompassionate self–responding. While self–compassion evidenced a large correlation with neuroticism and depression and a small correlation with anxiety, it explained meaningful incremental validity in life satisfaction compared with neuroticism, depression, and anxiety. Findings were replicated in Study 2, which examined emotion regulation. Study 3 established the incremental validity of negative items with multiple well–being outcomes. We conclude that although self–compassion overlaps with neuroticism, the two constructs are distinct. © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology

Old Wine in New Bottles? The Case of Self–Compassion and Neuroticism

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Kandler ◽  
Stefan Pfattheicher ◽  
Mattis Geiger ◽  
Johanna Hartung ◽  
Selina Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Negative Factor ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Compassion Scale ◽  
Positive Factor

Research on self–compassion, which is defined as being understanding and kind to oneself when confronted with negative experiences, has produced an impressive number of articles in recent years. This research shows that individual differences in self–compassion, as measured by the Self–Compassion Scale (SCS), are positively related to life satisfaction, health and social functioning. However, a critical and systematic test of self–compassion from a personality perspective has not yet conducted so far. In the present study ( N = 576), we (i) tested the factor structure of the SCS, (ii) examined the distinctiveness of self–compassion with regard to the five–factor model of personality, focusing on neuroticism, and (iii) tested the incremental predictive power of self–compassion beyond the five–factor model in the context of life satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a two–factor plus six facets solution of self–compassion (a positive factor and a negative factor). Additional analyses revealed that the negative factor was redundant with facets of neuroticism ( rs ≥ .85), whereas the positive factor had some unique variance left. However, neither the negative factor nor the positive factor could explain substantial incremental variance in life satisfaction beyond neuroticism. Recommendations for how to use the SCS are provided, and the future of research on self–compassion is discussed. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology

Clarifying the Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noelle J. Strickland ◽  
Raquel Nogueira-Arjona ◽  
Sean Mackinnon ◽  
Christine Wekerle ◽  
Sherry H. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Lower Order ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
The Hierarchical Structure ◽  
Compassion Scale

Abstract. Self-compassion is associated with greater well-being and lower psychopathology. There are mixed findings regarding the factor structure and scoring of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Using confirmatory factor analysis, we tested and conducted nested comparisons of six previously posited factor structures of the SCS. Participants were N = 1,158 Canadian undergraduates (72.8% women, 26.6% men, 0.6% non-binary; Mage = 19.0 years, SD = 2.3). Results best supported a two-factor hierarchical model with six lower-order factors. A general self-compassion factor was not supported at the higher- or lower-order levels; thus, a single total score is not recommended. Given the hierarchical structure, researchers are encouraged to use structural equation models of the SCS with two latent variables: self-caring and self-coldness. A strength of this study is the large sample, while the undergraduate sample may limit generalizability.

scholarly journals Testing the Indirect Effect of Type 1 Diabetes on Life Satisfaction Through Self-Compassion and Self-Coldness

Mindfulness ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2486-2493
Author(s):  
Edyta Charzyńska ◽  
Dagna Kocur ◽  
Sara Działach ◽  
Rachel E. Brenner
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Diabetes Duration ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Scale

Abstract Objectives Diabetes is a chronic disease that markedly affects the daily life of individuals and lowers subjective well-being. Self-compassion, or treating oneself with kindness and acceptance during challenging circumstances, may improve subjective well-being among people with diabetes. In the current study, we explored the relationships between duration of diabetes, positive and negative components of self-compassion (i.e., self-compassion and self-coldness), and life satisfaction. Methods The sample consisted of 112 persons with type 1 diabetes. A Self-Compassion Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used. Results A parallel multiple mediation model revealed that diabetes duration was related to lower self-coldness but not to self-compassion. Both self-coldness and self-compassion strongly correlated with life satisfaction. Diabetes duration demonstrated a significant indirect effect on life satisfaction through self-coldness (b = 0.08, 95% CI [0.01, 0.16]), but not through self-compassion (b = 0.00, 95% CI [− 0.06, 0.06]). Conclusions The study suggests the need to examine the positive and negative components of the Self-Compassion Scale separately when studying well-being of persons with type 1 diabetes, as well as to prepare tailored self-compassion and self-coldness interventions that can be adjusted for people with varying diabetes durations.

Self-Connection and Well-Being: Development and Validation of a Self-Connection Scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine Klussman ◽  
Austin Lee Nichols ◽  
Nicole Curtin ◽  
Julia Langer ◽  
Edward Orehek
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Self Acceptance ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Health And Well Being

Self-connection is composed of three factors: (1) self-awareness, (2) self-acceptance, and (3) self-alignment. Although some promising results suggest that self-connection uniquely contributes to well-being, they have relied on an untested, single-item measure. To advance empirical examination of self-connection and its role in well-being, the current research developed and validated a 12-item Self-Connection Scale (SCS). A total of 1,469 participants were recruited across three studies to examine the SCS and its three underlying components. Using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we found evidence supporting the factor structure and inter-item reliability as well as evidence of construct, concurrent, and incremental validity. Importantly, results from three studies suggest that the SCS is associated with multiple important indicators of health and well-being. The scale also demonstrated incremental validity beyond mindfulness, authenticity, self-concept clarity, self-compassion, and self-acceptance in its association with various mental health and well-being indicators. Thus, the SCS provides a valuable tool to measure and study self-connection and its relationship to well-being and other important psychological outcomes.

Self–Compassion as A Facet of Neuroticism? A Reply to the Comments of Neff, TóTh–KiráLy, and Colosimo (2018)

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattis Geiger ◽  
Stefan Pfattheicher ◽  
Johanna Hartung ◽  
Selina Weiss ◽  
Simon Schindler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Association ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
The Self ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Psychological Constructs ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Sound Measurement ◽  
Compassion Scale ◽  
Data Analytic

In this paper, we respond to comments by Neff et al. (2018) made about our finding that the negative dimensions of self–compassion were redundant with facets of neuroticism ( rs ≥ 0.85; Pfattheicher et al., 2017) and not incrementally valid. We first provide epistemological guidance for establishing psychological constructs, namely, three hurdles that new constructs must pass: theoretically and empirically sound measurement, discriminant validity, and incremental validity—and then apply these guidelines to the self–compassion scale. We then outline that the critique of Neff et al. (2018) is contestable. We question their decisions concerning data–analytic methods that help them to circumvent instead of passing the outlined hurdles. In a reanalysis of the data provided by Neff et al. (2018), we point to several conceptual and psychometric problems and conclude that self–compassion does not overcome the outlined hurdles. Instead, we show that our initial critique of the self–compassion scale holds and that its dimensions are best considered facets of neuroticism. © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology

Emotional intelligence in older adults: psychometric properties of the TMMS-24 and relationship with psychological well-being and life satisfaction

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1327-1334 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Delhom ◽  
M. Gutierrez ◽  
B. Lucas-Molina ◽  
J. C. Meléndez
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor

ABSTRACTBackground:Aging is a process during which important changes occur in different areas of development and emotional intelligence plays an essential role. The objective of this study was twofold: first, to validate the TMMS-24 in an older population; and second, to examine the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being.Methods:The sample consisted of 215 older adults (60.15% women) with a mean age of 69.56 (SD = 6.42), without cognitive impairment. Data on emotional intelligence, satisfaction with life, and psychological well-being were obtained through the TMMS-24, the SWLS, and Ryff's psychological well-being scales, respectively. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling were conducted.Results:Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the three-dimensional structure of the TMMS-24. The total scale showed an internal consistency of 0.90, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 for the subscales. Structural equation modeling indicated that emotional intelligence exerted an influence on psychological well-being both directly and indirectly through life satisfaction.Conclusions:These findings show that the TMMS-24 has adequate psychometric properties for assessing emotional intelligence in elderly participants, and they indicate that emotional intelligence influences cognitive and affective judgments of life satisfaction, with these judgments of life satisfaction predicting psychological well-being.

scholarly journals Family Solidarity, Social Support, Loneliness, and Well-Being Among Older Adults in Rural China

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 319-320
Author(s):  
Xiaoyan Zhang ◽  
Merril Silverstein
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Child Support ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
National Bureau ◽  
Subjective Well Being

Abstract China is experiencing a large increase in elderly population. In 2019, China’s population aged 60 and above had reached 253 million, accounting for 18.1% of the total population (National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2020). By 2050, the number of adults aged 60+ would be up to 430 million, reaching one third of the total population (Du, Zhai & Chen, 2005). Considering such a rapid aging process and the existing large number of older adults in China, it becomes imperative to investigate how psychosocial factors affect this group’s subjective well-being. This study proposed that, among older adults, higher support received from each of the three relational sources (adult children, family and friends) were associated with reduced loneliness and improved well-being. Structural equation modeling was conducted using a sample of rural adults aged 60 and older (N= 1142) from the 2018 wave of data from the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China. Findings indicated that support from adult children directly and indirectly decreased older adults’ depression and improved their life satisfaction through loneliness; while support from family members directly decreased depression but did not directly improve life satisfaction or indirectly improve well-being through loneliness. Although support from friends did not have a significant impact on older adults’ well-being, it indirectly improved well-being through reduced loneliness. Findings have implications for programs or interventions targeting both parent -adult-child support and friends support and reducing rural older adults’ loneliness.

scholarly journals Are perceptions of grandparenthood related to family and life satisfaction? A study with emerging adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752098115
Author(s):  
Isabel Miguel ◽  
Alexandra M. Araújo ◽  
Sandra Fernandes ◽  
Luísa Carneiro ◽  
Paula Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Family Satisfaction ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Adult Grandchildren

Given the crucial role that grandparents play in the upbringing and well-being of their grandchildren, research regarding the perceived importance of grandparents for their emerging adult grandchildren is of particular relevance. This study examined the relations between perceived grandparents’ roles and family and life satisfaction in Portuguese emerging adults. Participants (N = 387), aged 18–25, completed a structured self-report questionnaire. Findings of structural equation modeling showed that emerging adults’ perceptions of grandparental roles of counselor, enjoying the relationship, and indulgence are positively related to their family and life satisfaction. The mediation analysis showed that family satisfaction mediated the relation between perceptions of grandparents acting as counselors and the life satisfaction of emerging adult grandchildren. Implications of family relationships and grandparenting in the context of emerging adulthood are discussed.

Investigation of the Structural Relationships Between Social Support, Self-Compassion, and Subjective Well-Being in Korean Elite Student Athletes

2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunsoo Jeon ◽  
Keunchul Lee ◽  
Sungho Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Level ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Multiple Group ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Structural Relationships ◽  
The Relationship

The study examined whether self-compassion mediates the relationship between social support and subjective well-being, as perceived by athletes. It also investigated the structural relationships between these variables. Participants were 333 athletes attending high school or university. Structural equation analysis showed that self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between social support and subjective well-being. To test the stability of the model, a multiple group analysis was performed according to sex of participant and school level, and this demonstrated that the model had similar fit to the data regardless of group. The confirmation that self-compassion plays an intermediary role in the relationship between social support and subjective well-being demonstrates that self-compassionate attitudes can be fostered by social support, and that, in turn, has a positive effect on an individual’s subjective well-being.

scholarly journals Subjective Well-being, Mental Health and Concerns During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From the Global South

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Lina Martínez ◽  
Valeria Trofimoff ◽  
Isabella Valencia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global South ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Study Results

COVID-19 pandemic is harming many social and economic spheres beyond physical health. The subjective well-being of the population (positive emotions and life satisfaction) and the prevalence of stressors affecting good mental health like worry, depression, and anxiety are increasing worldwide. This analysis presents evidence of subjective well-being and mental health in Colombia, South America, during the current crisis. The data for this analysis comes from an online survey released after one month of quarantine. In total, 941 adults participated in the study. Results show that women are more affected by their well-being and experience more often worry, depression, and anxiety than males. In particular, younger women and from the lower socioeconomic strata. Respondents identify three primary concerns because of the pandemic: i) financial consequences, ii) health (personal and loved one's health), and iii) productivity. Respondents are, on average, more concerned for the health of loved ones than their health. 49% of study participants report having an income reduction as a consequence of the pandemic, but women in all subgroups analyzed are more affected than males. In terms of productivity –working remotely-, educated people, and from 50+ age range, feels more productive working from home. Evidence from this analysis contributes to the broader research of the consequences of COVID-19 on the well-being of the population. Evidence comes from a country in the global South with high population ratings of subjective well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction before the pandemic. 

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