Development and factor structure of the French version of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF-FV)

Abstract

Self-compassion is the willingness to feel acceptance and kindness towards oneself. It is correlated with many health outcomes and is used in various research fields. This study focuses on the factorial structure of the short version of the self-compassion scale for a French population. Confirmatory factor analyses tested the structure of the French short version in comparison with the structure for the short version in other languages (1, 2, 3 and 6 factors). Results show that the 6-factor structure has the best-fit indices. The external validity of the 6-dimensional scale was then tested using different questionnaires targeting stress, self-esteem, affect and mindfulness. The results highlight the self-regulatory abilities, especially in stressful situations, of people with high self-compassion, and also distinguish self-compassion from related concepts such as mindfulness skills or self-esteem. Taken as a whole, the results reinforce the necessity to consider the 6 sub-dimensions as 6 specific and independent factors. This short version of the self-compassion scale, addressed to French speakers, reduces the time required to complete the questionnaire while still having access to a 6-dimensional structure.