Psychometric Properties of the Self-Compassion Scale on Saudi University Students

Abstract

This study aimed to construct and validate a Saudi version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). The sample included (438) students at King Saud University in three colleges; social science (humanities), science, medicine. The findings showed good validity and good reliability. The findings showed that the values of Alpha Cronbach's coefficients were large (greater than 0.7) . The values of Pearson's correlation coefficients were mostly large (greater than 0.7) and were confined between (0.530 – 0.854) in the relationship between each item degree and its subscale. Also, values of Pearson's relationship between each item degree and the degree on the scale as a whole were confined between (0.513- 0.794). Finally, confirmatory factor analysis on the self-compassion scale supported the same six-factor structure as found in the original version by Neff (2003); Self-kindness versus self-judgment, Common humanity versus isolation, Mindfulness versus over-identification. As a whole, good psychometric properties observed for the Saudi SCS version are assuring the strength of the current results.