Self-Critical or Lacking in Self-Compassion? Distinct Constructs with Unique Predictions for Subjective Well-Being Over Time
type: CreativeWork
description: Self-compassion has been found to play an important role in mental health and well-being. In contrast, self-criticism is related to negative personality traits and various psychopathologies. There are well-known and valid measures of self-criticism (Blatt, DAfflitti, & Quinlan, 1976), but only one measure of self-compassion, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003b). Recent studies suggest the 13 negatively valanced items of the SCS appear closer to self-criticism rather than a lack of self-compassion. This study aimed to better define self-compassion by comparing the SCS to a valid measure of self-criticism. It was hypothesized that a subset of the SCSs positive items would be conceptually faithful to the construct of self-compassion and would show discriminant and construct validity compared to self-criticism when looking at responses to Online Positive Psychology Interventions. This study addresses a gap in the literature by refining the measurement of self-compassion and identifying a briefer scale called the SCS-5.
abstract: Self-compassion has been found to play an important role in mental health and well-being. In contrast, self-criticism is related to negative personality traits and various psychopathologies. There are well-known and valid measures of self-criticism (Blatt, DAfflitti, & Quinlan, 1976), but only one measure of self-compassion, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003b). Recent studies suggest the 13 negatively valanced items of the SCS appear closer to self-criticism rather than a lack of self-compassion. This study aimed to better define self-compassion by comparing the SCS to a valid measure of self-criticism. It was hypothesized that a subset of the SCSs positive items would be conceptually faithful to the construct of self-compassion and would show discriminant and construct validity compared to self-criticism when looking at responses to Online Positive Psychology Interventions. This study addresses a gap in the literature by refining the measurement of self-compassion and identifying a briefer scale called the SCS-5.
author: Chafe, David Thomas
language: en
keywords: Mental health
date published: 2018-11-21
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:33:55Z
provider: York University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: York University

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/10315/35573