Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) Information
The SCS is appropriate for ages 14 and up (8th grade reading level). See information sheet for permissions, scoring, reliability, translation guidelines, etc.
Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form (SCS-SF) Information
The SCS-SF has only 12 items and has a near-perfect correlation with the 26-item SCS when examining total scores. See information sheet for permissions, scoring, reliability, translation guidelines, etc.
Self-Compassion Mindstate Induction Information
For researchers interested in the experimental study of self-compassion, this mind state induction and control condition are consistent with Neff’s theoretical model.
Compassion Scale (CS) Information
The CS has the same general structure as the SCS and measures compassion for others. See information sheet for permissions, scoring, reliability, translation guidelines, etc.
Self-Compassion Scale for Youths (SCS-Y) Information
This is an adapted version of the self-compassion scale designed for early adolescents ages 10-14. See information sheet for permissions, scoring, reliability, translation guidelines, etc.
State Self-Compassion Scales Information
These state self-compassion scales are designed for use in experimental settings. The 18-item SSCS-Long form can be used to assess the six components of self-compassion and the 6-item SSCS-Short form can be used to assess a global self-compassion score. See information sheet for permissions, scoring, reliability, translation guidelines, etc.
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. (2020). Let the empirical evidence speak on the Self-Compassion Scale. Mindfulness, 11, 1900–1909. PDF
Neff, K. D. (2022). The differential effects fallacy in the study of self-compassion: Misunderstanding the nature of bipolar continuums. Mindfulness, 13, 572-576. PDF
Neff, K. D. (in press). Self-Compassion: Theory, Method, Research, and Intervention. Annual Review of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-032420-031047 PDF
Neff, K. D., Bluth, K., Tóth-Király, I., Davidson, O., Knox, M. C., Williamson, Z., & Costigan, A. (2021). Development and validation of the Self-Compassion Scale for Youth. Journal of personality assessment, 103(1), 92-105. PDF
Neff, K. D. & Tóth-Király, I (2022). 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. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77644-2_36-1 PDF
Neff, K. D., Tóth-Király, I., Knox, M. C., Kuchar, A., & Davidson, O. (2021). The Development and Validation of the State Self-Compassion Scale (Long-and Short Form). Mindfulness, 12(1), 121-140. 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 and validation of the Compassion Scale. Assessment, 21-39. 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
Tóth-Király, I., & Neff, K. D. (2021). Is self-compassion universal? Support for the measurement invariance of the Self-Compassion Scale across populations. Assessment, 28(1), 169-185. PDF