Self-compassion as a healthy attitude toward the self: Factorial and construct validity in an Italian sample

This paper aims to propose the Italian version of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS, Neff, 2003b) and to provide new evidence concerning its relationships with various forms of self-view and well-being. In the first study, we analysed whether the scale preserved its original psychometric features. Among the tested models, both a six factor and a bifactor model showed adequate fit indexes, sustaining the employment of both the six subscales and a total self-compassion score. In the second study, through Confirmatory Factor Analysis and partial correlations, we explored convergent, divergent, and predictive validity of the scale. As expected, self-compassion was associated with, yet distinguishable from, self-esteem and low labile self-esteem scores, and it was unrelated to narcissism and self-enhancement -Moreover, self-compassion maintained its link with well-being variables also controlling for self-esteem, labile self-esteem, narcissism, and self-enhancement. Findings suggest that self-compassion may be conceived as a healthy self-attitude, alternative to self-esteem, as it is related to self-esteem benefits (low labile self-esteem and well-being), but not with its potential downsides (narcissism and self enhancement). Therefore, self-compassion appears as a self-caring disposition that does not lead to overly positive self-evaluations and self-image enhancement.