Mindful Self-Compassion Scale

What it measures

A brief measure of mindful self-compassion, capturing the degree to which individuals respond to difficult moments with kindness, mindful awareness, and a recognition of shared human experience. Developed to serve as an outcome measure for the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) programme.

Response format

Likert (1–5, rarely to almost always)

Representative items

• I try to show myself the same kindness I would show a good friend when I'm going through a hard time. (Self-Compassion)
• When I'm struggling with something difficult, I try to be understanding and patient with myself. (Self-Compassion)
• I try to see my mistakes as part of being human. (Common Humanity)
• When something painful happens, I try to take a balanced view of the situation. (Mindfulness)

Usage notes & scoring

Higher scores = more mindful self-compassion. Freely available from Kristin Neff's website. Sensitive to change from MSC programme. Distinct from SCS-SF in its emphasis on the cultivation of compassion through practice. Three subscale scores and a total score.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Neff, K.D., & Germer, C. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44.

Keywords