Self-Compassion Scale (SCS)
Please feel free to use the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) for research or any other use. All researchers have permission to use the SCS. The SCS is appropriate for ages 14 and up (8th grade reading level). Translations of the scale should use recommendations made by Neff, Tóth-Király, et al. (2019).
Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form (SCS-SF)
The SCS-SF has only 12 items and has a near-perfect correlation with the 26-item SCS when examining total scores. We do not recommend using the short form to examine subscale scores because they are less reliable. All researchers have permission to use the SCS-SF. The 12 short form items can drawn from published translations of the SCS.
Compassion Scale (CS)
Please feel free to use the Compassion Scale in your research. It has the same general structure as the SCS and measures compassion for others. All researchers have permission to use the CS. Translations of the scale should use recommendations made by Neff, Tóth-Király, et al. (2019).
Self-Compassion Scale for Youth (SCS-Y)
This is an adapted version of the self-compassion scale designed for early adolescents ages 10-14. All researchers have permission to use the SCS-Y. Translations of the scale should use recommendations made by Neff, Tóth-Király, et al. (2019).
Relevant articles
Neff, K. D. (2003). Development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2, 223-250. PDF
Neff, K. D. (2018). Setting the record straight about the Self-Compassion Scale. Mindfulness, 1-3. PDF
Neff, K. D., Bluth, K., Tóth-Király, I., Davidson, O., Knox, M. C., Williamson, Z. & Costigan, A. (2020). Development and validation of the Self-Compassion Scale for Youth. Journal of Personality Assessment. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2020.1729774 PDF
Neff, K. D. & Tóth-Király, I (in press). Self-Compassion Scale (SCS ), In N. Oleg, O. N. Medvedev, C. U. Krägeloh, R. J. Siegert, & N. N. Singh (Eds.) Handbook of Assessment in Mindfulness. New York: Springer. PDF
Neff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Yarnell, L., Arimitsu, K., Castilho, P., Ghorbani, N.,… Mantios, M. (2019). Examining the Factor Structure of the Self-Compassion Scale using exploratory SEM bifactor analysis in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores. Psychological Assessment, 31 (1), 27-45. PDF
Pommier, E., Neff, K. D. & Tóth-Király I. (2019). The development andvalidation of the Compassion Scale. Assessment, 1-19. DOI: 10.1177/1073191119874108. PDF
Raes, F., Pommier, E., Neff, K. D., & Van Gucht, D. (2011). Construction and factorial validation of a short form of the Self-Compassion Scale. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 18, 250-255. PDF