The Сoncept of Self-compassion: a Russian Adaptation of the Scale by Kristin Neff

4372

Abstract

The article describes a relatively new psychological construct of self-compassion and its relation to another well-known notion, self-esteem. Arguments are presented in favor of the new construct in working with adolescents and patients. According to that, there is a need of an adaptation on a Russian sample of the scale, which measures self-compassion. It was hypothesized that the Self-Compassion Scale by K. Neff will be an appropriate instrument to measure the construct on a Russian sample, as it passed successful adaptation in many other countries. For that purpose the scale was translated, and was then given to students in three Russian cities, along with Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory, Almost Perfect Scale, Experience in Close Relationships – Revised, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (students were from Moscow, Cheboksary, Kirov, N = 490, 152 males, 337 females, one person undefined, aged 17— 28 (М = 19,3, SD = 1,2)). ESEM showed satisfactory fit of the model with 6 specific factors (subscales) (χ2(184) = 452,074; CFI = 0,956; TLI = 0,923; RMSEA = 0, 055 (0,048; 0,061), SRMR = 0,028). Indices of reliability for the subscales were also satisfactory. Correlations of the subscales with other questionnaires showed good construct validity. Thus, the Russian version of the Self-Compassion Scale by K. Neff can be used in clinical and research purposes on Russian youth samples.

General Information

Keywords: self-compassion, self-esteem, suicidality

Journal rubric: Theory and Methodology

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/chp.2020160404

Acknowledgements. This work was supported in part by Ulianov Chuvash State University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University and Vyatka State University.

For citation: Chistopolskaya K.A., Osin E.N., Enikolopov S.N., Nikolaev E.L., Mysina G.A., Drovosekov S.E. The Сoncept of Self-compassion: a Russian Adaptation of the Scale by Kristin Neff. Kul'turno-istoricheskaya psikhologiya = Cultural-Historical Psychology, 2020. Vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 35–48. DOI: 10.17759/chp.2020160404.

A Part of Article

Self-compassion is a relatively new construct, which was introduced by an American psychologist Kristin Neff, and the author suggests replacing the concept of self-esteem with this term. Since 2003, she has consistently criticized self-esteem.

References

  1. Garanian N.G., Klykova A.Yu., Sorokova M.G. Perfektsionizm, zavist’ i konkurentnye ustanovki v studencheskoi srede [Perfectionism, envy and hypercompetitiveness among university students] Konsul’tativnaya psikhologiya i psikhoterapiya [ Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy], 2018. Vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 7—32. doi: 10.17759/cpp.2018260202 (In Russ.; abstr. in Engl.).
  2. Maslow A. Motivatsiya i lichnost’ [Motivation and personality]. Saint Petersburg: Piter, 2019. 400 p. (In Russ.).
  3. Rogers K. Noveishie podkhody v psikhologicheskoi praktike [Newest approaches in psychological practice]. Moscow: Institut obshchegumanitarnykh issledovanii, 2015. 200 p. (In Russ.).
  4. Sirota N.A. et al. Profilaktika narkomanii u podrostkov: ot teorii k praktike [Prevention of addiction in adolescents: from theory to practice]. Moscow: Genezis, 2001. 216 p. (In Russ.).
  5. Sircova A., Mitina O.V. Vozrastnaya dinamika vremennykh orientatsii lichnosti [Developmental dynamics of temporal orientations of personality]. Voprosy psikhologii [Issues of Psychology], 2008, no. 2, pp. 41—54. (In Russ.; abstr. in Engl.).
  6. Fedunina N.Yu. et al. Osobennosti sovladaniya so stressom u podrostkov s samopovrezhdayushchim i suitsidal’nym povedeniem [Coping with stress in adolescents with self-harm and suicidal behavior] Konsul’tativnaya psikhologiya i psikhoterapiya [ Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy], 2018. Vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 33—52. doi: 10.17759/ cpp.2018260203 (In Russ.; abstr. in Engl.).
  7. Fedunina N.Yu., Vihristyuk O.V., Bannikov G.S. Praktiki osoznannosti v profilaktike suitsidal’nogo povedeniya podrostkov (obzor zarubezhnykh issledovanii) [Mindfulness practices in the prevention of suicidal behavior in adolescents (a review of foreign studies)]. Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 14. Psikhologiya [Moscow University Psychology Bulletin], 2019, no. 2, pp. 121—144. doi: 10.11621/vsp.2019.02.121. (In Russ.; abstr. in Engl.).
  8. Kholmogorova A.B., Garanyan N.G., Tsatsulin T.O. Dinamika pokazatelei perfektsionizma i simptomov emotsional’nogo neblagopoluchiya v rossiiskoi studencheskoi populyatsii za poslednie desyat’ let: kogortnoe issledovanie [Dynamics of indicators of perfectionism and symptoms of emotional distress in the Russian student population over the past ten years: Cohort study] Kul’turno-istoricheskaya psikhologiya [Cultural Historical Psychology], 2019. Vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 41—50. doi: 10.17759/chp. 2019150305 (In Russ.; abstr. in Engl.).
  9. Chistopolskaya K.A., Enikolopov S.N. Osobennosti molodykh lyudei s samopovrezhdeniyami i predshestvuyushchimi popytkami v ostrom suitsidal’nom krizise [Characteristics of young people in acute suicidal crisis with and without non-suicidal self-harm and suicide attempts] Suitsidologiya [ Suicidology], 2019. Vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 47—64. doi: 10.32878/suiciderus.19-10-04(37)-47-64 (In Russ.; in Engl.).
  10. Chistopolskaya K.A. et al. Adaptatsiya kratkoi versii «Pererabotannogo oprosnika — opyt blizkikh otnoshenii» (ECR-R) na russkoyazychnoi vyborke [Adaptation on a Russian sample of the short version of Experience in Close Relationships — Revised Questionnaire] Psikhologicheskii zhurnal [ Psychological Journal], 2018, no. 5, pp. 87—98. doi: 10.31857/S020595920000838-7 (In Russ.; abstr. in Engl.).
  11. Yasnaya V.A. et al. Aprobatsiya metodiki izmereniya perfektsionizma R. Sleini «Pochti sovershennaya shkala» [Testing methods for measuring perfectionism P. Slaney “Almost Perfect Scale”] Teoreticheskaya i eksperimental’naya psikhologiya [ Theoretical and Experimental Psychology], 2011, no. 4, pp. 30—45. (In Russ., abstr. in Engl.).
  12. Aliske M.D., Sedikides C. Self-enhancement and self-protection: What they are and what they do. European Review of Social Psychology, 2009. Vol. 20, pp. 1—48. doi: 10.1080/10463280802613866
  13. Adams C.E., Leary M.R. Promoting self-compassionate attitudes toward eating among restrictive and guilty eaters. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 2007. Vol. 26, pp. 1120—1144. doi: 10.1521/jscp.2007.26.10.1120
  14. Barnard L.K., Curry J.F. Self-compassion: conceptualizations, correlates, and interventions. Review of General Psychology, 2011. Vol. 15, pp. 289—303. doi: 10.1037/ a0025754
  15. Baumeister R.F., Smart L., Boden J.M. Relation of threatened egotism to violence and aggression: The dark side of high self-esteem. Psychological Review, 1996. Vol. 103, pp. 5—33. doi: 10.1037/0033-295X.103.1.5
  16. Cleare S., Gumley A., O’Connor R.C. Self-compassion, self-forgiveness, suicidal ideation, and self-harm: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. 2019. Vol. 26, pp. 511—530. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2372
  17. Deci E., Ryan R. Human autonomy: The basis for true self-esteem. In Kernis M.H. (ed.), Efficacy, agency, and self-esteem. New York, NY: Plenum Press, 1995, pp. 31—49. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4899-1280-0_3
  18. Depue R.A., Morrone-Strupinsky J.V. A neurobehavioral model of affiliative bonding. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 2005. Vol. 28, pp. 313—395. doi: 10.1017/ S0140525X05000063
  19. Germer C.K., Neff K.D. Self-compassion in clinical practice. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2013. Vol. 69, no. 8, pp. 856—867. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22021
  20. Germer C.K., Neff K.D. Cultivating self-compassion in trauma survivors. In Follette V.M., Briere J., Rozelle D., et al. (eds.) Mindfulness-oriented interventions for trauma: Integrating contemplative practices. New York: Guilford Press, 2015, pp. 43—58.
  21. Gilbert P. Social mentalities: Internal ‘social’ conflicts and the role of inner warmth and compassion in cognitive therapy. In Gilbert P., Bailey K.G. (eds.) Genes on the couch: Explorations in evolutionary psychotherapy. Hove, UK: Psychology Press, 2000, pp. 118—150. doi: 10.4324/9781315783314-14
  22. Gilbert P. Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 2009. Vol. 15, pp. 199—208. doi: 10.1192/apt.bp.107.005264
  23. Gilbert P. Compassion focused therapy: The CBT distinctive features series. London, UK: Routledge, 2010. 237 p.
  24. Gilbert P. The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2014. Vol. 53, pp. 6—41. doi: 10.1111/bjc.12043
  25. Hofmann S.G. et al. The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2010. Vol. 78, no. 2, pp. 169—183. doi: 10.1037/a0018555
  26. Fancher R. Cultures of healing: Correcting the image of American mental health care. New York: Freeman, 1995. 355 p.
  27. Fraley R.C., Waller N.G., Brennan K.A. An item response theory analysis of self-report measures of adult attachment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2000. Vol. 78, pp. 350—365. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.78.2.350
  28. Jordan J.V. Empathy and self-boundaries. In Jordan J.V. et al. (eds.) Women’s growth in connection: Writings from the Stone Center. New York: Guilford, 1991, pp. 67—80.
  29. MacBeth A., Gumley A. Exploring compassion: A meta-analysis of the association between self-compassion and psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 2012. Vol. 32, no. 6, pp. 545—552. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2012.06.003
  30. Marshall S.L. et al. Self-compassion protects against the negative effects of low self-esteem: A longitudinal study in a large adolescent sample. Personality and Individual Differences, 2015. Vol. 74, pp. 116—121. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2014.09.013
  31. Maxwell N., Lopus J. The Lake Wobegon effect in student self-reported data. American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings, 1994. Vol. 84, pp. 201—205.
  32. Mikulincer M., Shaver P. Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. New York: Guilford Press. 2010. 548 p.
  33. Muris P., Otgaar H., Pfattheicher S. Stripping the forest from the rotten trees: Compassionate self-responding is a way of coping, but reduced uncompassionate self-responding mainly reflects psychopathology. Mindfulness, 2019. Vol. 10, pp. 196—199. doi:10.1007/s12671-018-1030-0
  34. Neff K. Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2003. Vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 85—101. doi: 10.1080/15298860390129863
  35. Neff K. The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2003. Vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 223—250. doi: 10.1080/15298860309027
  36. Neff K. Self-compassion, self-esteem, and well-being. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2011. Vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1—12. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2010.00330.x
  37. Neff K. Self-compassion: The proven power of being kind to yourself. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2011. 320 p.
  38. Neff K.D. Setting the record straight about the self-compassion scale. Mindfulness, 2019. Vol. 10, pp. 200—202. doi:10.1007/s12671-018-1061-6
  39. Neff K.D., Germer C.K. A pilot study and a randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2013. Vol. 69, no. 1, pp. 28—44.
  40. Neff K.D., Knox M.C. Self-compassion. In Zeigler- Hill V., Shackelford T.K. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences. New York: Springer International Publishing AG, 2017, pp. 1—8. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28099- 8_1159-1
  41. Neff K., Vonk R. Self-compassion versus global self-esteem: Two different ways of relating to oneself. Journal of Personality, 2009. Vol. 77, pp. 23—50. doi:10.1111/j.1467- 6494.2008.00537.x
  42. Neff, K.D. et al. Examining the factor structure of the Self-Compassion Scale in 20 diverse samples: Support for use of a total score and six subscale scores. Psychological Assessment, 2019. Vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 27—45. doi:10.1037/pas0000629
  43. Pennebaker J.W. Putting stress into words: Health, linguistic, and therapeutic implications. Behavior Research and Therapy, 1993. Vol. 31, pp. 539—548. doi:10.1016/0005- 7967(93)90105-4
  44. Raes F. Rumination and worry as mediators of the relationship between self-compassion and depression and anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 2010. Vol. 48, pp. 757—761. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2010.01.023
  45. Reise S.P. The rediscovery of bifactor measurement models. Multivariate behavioral research, 2012. Vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 667—696. doi:10.1080/00273171.2012.715555
  46. Slaney R.B., Rice K.G., Ashby J.S. A programmatic approach to measuring perfectionism: The Almost Perfect Scales. In Flett G.L., Hewitt P.L. (eds.) Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment. American Psychological Association. 2002, pp. 63—88. doi:10.1037/10458-003
  47. Snyder M. The development of social intelligence in psychotherapy: Empathic and dialogic processes. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1994. Vol. 34, pp. 84—108. doi: 10.1177/00221678940341006
  48. Stanton A.L. et al. Coping through emotional approach: Problems of conceptualization and confounding. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1994, Vol. 66, pp. 350—362. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.66.2.350
  49. Stevens L. Gauthier-Braham M., Bush B. The brain that longs to care for itself: The current neuroscience of self-compassion. In Stevens L., Woodruff C. The Neuroscience of Empathy, Compassion and Self-Compassion. London, UK: Academic Press, Elsevier, 2018, pp. 91—120. doi:10.1016/ B978-0-12-809837-0.00004-0
  50. Stolarski M., Fieulaine N., Zimbardo P.G. Putting time in a wider perspective: The past, the present, and the future of time perspective theory. In Zeigler-Hill V., Shackelford T. (eds.) The SAGE Handbook of Personality and Individual Differences. Thousand Oakes, CA: SAGE, 2018, pp. 592—628. doi:10.4135/9781526451163.n28
  51. Thompson B.L., Waltz J. Self-compassion and PTSD symptom severity. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2008. Vol. 21, pp. 556—558. doi:10.1002/jts.20374
  52. Trizano-Hermosilla I., Alvarado J.M. Best alternatives to Cronbach’s alpha reliability in realistic conditions: Congeneric and asymmetrical measurements. Frontiers in psychology, 2016. Vol. 7, p. 769. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00769
  53. Zessin U., Dickhäuser O., Garbade S. The relationship between self-compassion and well-being: A meta-analysis. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2015, Vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 340—364. doi:10.1111/aphw.12051
  54. Zimbardo P., Boyd J. Putting time in perspective: A valid, reliable individual-differences metric. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1999. Vol. 77, pp. 1271— 1288. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.77.6.1271
  55. Zimet G.D. et al. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Journal of Personality Assessment, 1988. Vol. 52, pp. 30—41. doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2

Information About the Authors

Ksenia A. Chistopolskaya, Medical Psychologist, Psychiatric Department no. 2, Eramishantsev Moscow City Clinical Hospital, Junior Research Fellow, Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry – a branch of V.P. Serbsky National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2552-5009, e-mail: ktchist@gmail.com

Evgeny N. Osin, PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor, Deputy Head of the International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3330-5647, e-mail: eosin@hse.ru

Sergey N. Enikolopov, PhD in Psychology, Associate Professor, Head of Department of Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7899-424X, e-mail: enikolopov@mail.ru

Evgeni L. Nikolaev, Doctor of Medicine, Associate Professor, Professor, Head of the Chair of Social and Clinical Psychology, Ulianov Chuvash State University, Cheboksary, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8976-715X, e-mail: pzdorovie@bk.ru

Galina A. Mysina, Doctor of Education, Associate Professor, Head of the Chair of Health-Saving Technologies and Adaptive Physical Culture, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2346-4372, e-mail: Mysina@bmstu.ru

Sergei E. Drovosekov, Educational Psychologist, General Secondary School no. 619, St.Petersburg, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6739-4804, e-mail: sergo.nevsky@yandex.ru

Metrics

Views

Total: 4137
Previous month: 31
Current month: 50

Downloads

Total: 4372
Previous month: 47
Current month: 87