Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Self Compassion Scale in University Students

Given the importance of the self-compassion construct as a criterion for mental well-being, this research was conducted in order to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Self Compassion Scale. All students of Urmia Islamic Azad University in the academic 2010-2011 year were considered as the population of the study. Of this population, 220 students (99 males and 121 females) were selected randomly to participate in the study. The subjects responded individually to the self-compassion and beck depression questionnaires and big five personality scale at their classrooms. The collected data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, and exploratory factor analysis. The results of the exploratory factor analysis revealed six factors with a value of higher than 1 that could were explain 63/47 % of the variance together. Indexes of the fitness of the confirmatory factor analysis model also confirmed six factor model of this scale. Results of the Pearson correlation showed negative relationship between the self-compassion, depression and personality traits, especially neuroticism. Alpha cronbach coefficients for the subscales and the total score of the scale were obtained in the range of 0/65 -0/92. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the selfcompassion scale enjoyed a quite well validity and reliability to be used in university student populations.