The Self-Compassion Scale is Not Validated in a Buddhist Sample.
Xianglong Zeng, Jun Wei, Tian Ps Oei, Xiangping Liu
Journal of Religion and Health December 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-016-0205-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 411 |
| Population | Buddhists and non-Buddhists |
| Topics | Meditation Buddhism |
| Keywords | Buddhists Experiential avoidance Loving-kindness meditation Self-compassion |
| Key findings | Among Buddhists, self-kindness and common humanity did not show expected negative correlations with their opposite dimensions, were not associated with better emotional outcomes, and were not predicted by regular loving-kindness meditation. |
Abstract
The concept of self-compassion originated from Buddhism, but very little is known about the utility and functions of this concept among Buddhists. Four hundred and eleven individuals (179 Buddhists and 232 non-Buddhists) completed the survey packages using the self-compassion scale (SCS; Neff in Self Identity 2(3):223-250, 2003a. doi: 10.1080/15298860309027 ). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original six dimensions of the SCS were not replicated by both samples, and further analysis of the intra-correlations within dimensions of SCS and relationships between SCS and other variables showed unexpected results specific to Buddhists. Among Buddhists, the dimensions of self-kindness and common humanity neither showed negative correlations with their opposite dimensions nor were associated with better emotional outcomes. In addition, these two dimensions were not predicted by the regular practice of loving-kindness meditation. This study argued that the ideas of self-compassion reflected in the SCS are theoretically different from the ideas of Buddhism, and further implications for measuring and clinically applying self-compassion were discussed.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on buddhism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression, Guilt, and Tibetan Buddhism 98 primarily Tibetan Buddhist meditation practitioners and 438 non-Buddhist,... | 2012 | Cross-sectional comparative study | n = 536 |
| The Mediating Role of Precepts and Meditation on Attachment and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents. Thai boarding-school students in 10th-12th grade from five schools (two Buddhist, three... | 2023 | Cross-sectional survey with parallel mediation analysis | n = 453 |
| Personality Traits and Future Anxiety in Buddhisms: a Study of Adult Tibetan Buddhist Practitioners from Uruguay Members of three Tibetan Buddhist groups in Uruguay, plus religious and non-religious... | 2022 | Cross-sectional comparison | n = 156 |
| The impact of Zen meditation on security and satisfaction in monogamous relationships Men and women aged 18 or older in monogamous relationships for one year or more | 2011 | Observational study (survey) | n = 405 |
| Synergistic effects of Buddhist five precepts and death contemplation on inner strengths and mental health in elderly Thai meditators. Elderly Thai Buddhist meditators aged 60 and above from temples and meditation centers... | 2025 | Cross-sectional study | n = 332 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- An intervention study examining the effectiveness of loving kindness meditation in reducing depressive symptoms: Compassionate coping as a mediator? Advances in Health and Behavior 2022
- Nurses' perceived stress and compassion following a mindfulness meditation and self compassion training Journal of Research in Nursing December 1, 2017
Cites 7
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators The Journal of Positive Psychology April 11, 2012
- A critical analysis of the concepts and measurement of awareness and equanimity in Goenka's Vipassana meditation. Journal of Religion and Health April 1, 2015
- Revision of the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale for measuring awareness and equanimity in Goenka's Vipassana meditation with Chinese Buddhists. Journal of Religion and Health April 1, 2015
and 2 more in the library