Theory and psychometric development of a survey to measure attitudes towards self-comforting behaviours: The self-comforting attitude scale (SCAS)

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to develop and preliminarily validate the Self-Comforting Attitude Scale (SCAS), a novel instrument designed to measure individuals’ attitudes toward self-comforting behaviours—specifically mindfulness, positive self-talk, self-reassurance, cognitive reframing, and personal rituals—crucial for emotional regulation and resilience in high-stress contexts such as academic environments.

Methods

The SCAS was developed through a five-stage process: (1) identification of conceptual domains informed by literature and the Self-Comforting and Coping Theory (SCCT) and Self-Comforting Attitude Theory (SCAT); (2) generation of an initial 40-item pool; (3) expert review and refinement by psychologists and stress researchers; (4) pilot testing with 50 university students in the West Midlands, UK; and (5) item reduction to a 10-item scale. Content and face validity were assessed using expert evaluation and participant feedback.

Results

Pilot findings indicate strong content and face validity. Items were rated highly for clarity and relevance. A priori power analysis confirmed sufficient power (80.57 %) to detect medium effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 0.57) with the given sample. Participants found the items easy to understand and reflective of their attitudes toward self-comforting strategies. No psychometric issues were identified in this preliminary phase.

Conclusion

The SCAS is a theoretically grounded, practically relevant tool for assessing attitudes—rather than frequency or efficacy—toward self-comforting behaviours. Unlike existing tools that focus on frequency or efficacy, the SCAS emphasizes attitudinal orientation. While further validation is needed, the SCAS represents an important innovation in resilience and coping research, with potential applications in clinical, educational, and research settings.